CDC releases statistics on H1N1 deaths, infections, and hospitalizations

According to the government estimates, after the availability of the vaccine in fall, the immunization rate works out to about 61 million Americans, roughly amounting to 20 percent of the U.S. population, receiving a shot against the lethal virus.

Richard Quartarone, the spokesman from the CDC, said that, considering that the supply of the vaccine was limited and its availability made possible months after the outbreak, the numbers were promising.

He added, “From our point of view, this looks very successful.”

H1N1 related deaths, infections and hospitalizations
Simultaneously, the CDC also issued updates on the fatalities and estimates of swine-flu cases and hospitalizations since the pandemic broke in April.

The estimates are based on two nationwide telephone surveys, the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, which took place from Dec. 27 to Jan. 2 and from Dec. 1 to Dec. 27, respectively.

According to the surveys, about 55 million people contacted the infectious virus, whereas nearly 246,000 needed hospitalization and around 11,160 succumbed to the flu.

On the impact of H1N1 “The Boston Globe” writes that "blacks, Hispanics, and Asians in the state experienced between two and four times the rates of H1N1, and have also borne the brunt of serious complications from the disease."

The numbers reported in the CDC's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report," represent a middle range in estimates. The actual number of the cases in the eight-months could be as low as 39 million and as high as 80 million cases.

Initial supply of vaccine limited
Initially, the vaccine was in short supply; hence the health officials targeted those at the greatest risk of complications from the influenza because of chronic health conditions or a compromised immune system.

The vulnerable groups--that included kids, pregnant women, those with underlying medical problems, people caring for infants under 6 months as well as healthcare workers--also were given preferential treatment.

However, with the supplies of the vaccine in plentiful now, there is a need to get more of the population inoculated.

The CDC report stated, “Now there is ample supply of vaccine, efforts should continue to improve vaccination coverage among persons in initial target groups, as well as to offer vaccination to the rest of the U.S. population.”

“Efforts should continue to urge obstetricians and other healthcare providers to provide influenza vaccine to pregnant women,” the report said. “The current high percentage of unvaccinated healthcare workers highlights the need to strengthen measures to improve their influenza vaccination coverage.”