Based on data collected nationwide and in Oregon, while vaccine supplies are limited, public
health officials are urging local heath departments and tribes to target vaccine outreach to the
people who are at greatest risk for hospitalization and death:

• Pregnant women;
• Children under 5;
• And people aged 5-64 with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes
and cardio-pulmonary disease.

“If you have an underlying health condition, please contact your health care provider. The
numbers are telling us that these folks are at an increased risk for H1N1 complications,” says Mel
Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon public health director. “We want vaccine providers to get to those
people first.”

Click here to download:

2009-1117a.pdf (72 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

2009-1117a.pdf (72 KB)

Increasing education and outreach to populations that are most at risk for hospitalization and death

As the H1N1 influenza outbreak continues in Oregon, the latest local and national data about how the virus affects certain populations is emerging. As a result — and because of the limited amount of vaccine — over the next few weeks the Oregon Public Health Division and county public health departments and tribes will target vaccination education and outreach on the populations that are most at risk for hospitalization and death.

Since Sept. 1, 2009, 1,044 people have been hospitalized in Oregon with influenza-like illness; 34 people have died. In Oregon, five children have died from influenza, four of the children had special needs — two with cerebral palsy. Two Oregon children died outside the hospital.

“Children with special needs must get vaccinated; if they get sick, parents should seek care early,” says Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon public health director.

National statistics show that over 90 percent of people hospitalized with H1N1 are within the priority group: pregnant women, children 5 and under, and people aged 5 – 64 with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and cardio-pulmonary disease.

“People with underlying health conditions are much more likely to have a severe case of H1N1 influenza that could require hospitalization,” says Kohn. “We are asking this high-risk group to please make sure and get vaccinated early in order to protect themselves.”

Oregon has so far received about 25 percent of the vaccine allocation necessary to reach all people in the targeted population for vaccine, and more vaccine is coming every day.

“Until we have enough vaccine, getting it to the most vulnerable people is a constant balancing act,” says Kathleen O’Leary, Washington County Public Health administrator and chair of the Conference of Local Health Officials.

Public health officials are encouraging vaccine providers to reach out to the populations that are at the highest risk for complications from H1N1 flu, including people of all ages with heart and lung diseases and children with neurodevelopmental diseases. These general classes are emerging as the most important risk factors both nationally and in Oregon. “That’s why we are emphasizing today the importance of ensuring that people with chronic conditions get vaccinated,” says Kohn.

In Oregon, some of the more common underlying health conditions that make people most at risk for hospitalization and death from H1N1 flu are:

· In children under 18, asthma;

· In adults over 18, asthma, diabetes and pregnancy as well as all cardio-pulmonary diseases;

· Of all the people hospitalized with influenza in the tri-county area (Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties) since Sept. 1, 2009, 33 percent have asthma as an underlying condition.

· Many people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 suffer from multiple underlying health conditions.

For more information, visit www.flu.oregon.gov or call the Oregon Public Health flu hotline at 1-800-978-3040.

http://blog.google.org/2009/11/finding-flu-vaccine-information-in-one.html

From the Google blog:

"You can check out the flu shot finder at www.google.com/flushot. The same tool will also be available shortly on www.flu.gov and the American Lung Association websites. It's important to note that this project is just beginning and we have not yet received information about flu shot clinics for many locations. In addition, many locations that are shown are currently out of stock. We launched this service now in order to help disseminate information about locations where vaccines are available, and also to make more vaccine providers aware of the project so that they can contribute."

The pandemic H1N1 strain continues to spread in Oregon. Between September 1, 2009, and October 26, 2009, there have been 482 hospitalizations and 15 deaths in Oregon linked to influenza. Hospital capacity across the state is adequate to handle the increase, although some hospitals have expressed concern that they may be at full capacity soon.

We are also experiencing outbreaks of flu in schools across the state, in some cases with 30 percent or more of staff or students out ill. So while H1N1 influenza is not more severe than the seasonal flu, more of us are getting sick because none of us have immunity to this new strain of influenza.

As you have likely heard, supplies of H1N1 vaccine are arriving more slowly across the country than originally anticipated. Currently Oregon has only about 6 percent of the supply necessary to vaccinate the priority groups. While more is coming every day, demand for H1N1 vaccine is currently outpacing supply. That means that some vaccine clinics have been delayed or cancelled, which has left people wondering what will happen in their communities if the vaccine doesn't arrive in time to slow the spread of H1N1.

The vaccine is being distributed as soon as it hits the state and divided up equally among the counties. A few vaccine clinics are scheduled around the state; flu.oregon.gov has the most recent statewide information. As
supply increases, there will be more clinics scheduled. Pregnant women, children, health care providers and public safety workers, people caring for infants under 6 months, and people with underlying health conditions remain the top priorities for the vaccine.

I have heard people express concern that because of the slow pace of vaccine arrival it may be too late to do much good. That is not accurate. It is likely that there will be a second wave of illness from pandemic H1N1 in the spring, so vaccinating as many people in the priority groups is still likely to be very beneficial, even if that takes until early in 2010.

Click here to download:

PH Dir Newsletter 2009-1027.pdf (60 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

PH Dir Newsletter 2009-1027.pdf (60 KB)

CONTACT: Perrin Damon, 503-931-4300

Influenza vaccine update

H1N1 vaccine coming more slowly to Oregon than expected – Public Health officials call for patience and increased focus on other prevention measures.

Today the Centers for Disease Control announced that H1N1 vaccine yield is lower than earlier anticipated.

According to the CDC, nationwide 40 million doses had been estimated by the end of October but only about 28 to 30 million doses will be available during that time frame. To date, Oregon has received approximately 80,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine and more is scheduled to arrive next week.

At a news conference today at the state public health department’s H1N1 center, Mel Kohn, MD, director of the Oregon Public Health Division discussed the state’s response to the delay. He was joined by Kathleen O’Leary, RN, Washington County Public Health Administrator and Gary Oxman, MD, health officer for Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.

Dr. Kohn said that in spite of the delay in manufacturing more H1N1 vaccine is on the way to Oregon, some vaccine clinics are opening next week around the state and more will be opening throughout October and November.

"This kind of delay commonly occurs during flu vaccine production. It’s just the biology of the virus," said Dr. Kohn. "No corners are being cut when it comes to the safety of manufacturing this vaccine. It’s meeting the same high standards as the seasonal flu vaccine."

"The H1N1 vaccine is coming, but not as quickly as we would like," added Dr. Kohn. "We know that demand for the vaccine is very high and we are asking people to be patient until it comes to their community and to keep checking back with the Web site or hotline for more information. Although we wish we had more vaccine to give now, there will still be value in vaccinating people in the coming months."

The state sponsors a Web site at www.flu.oregon.gov that posts public flu clinics as well as a statewide hotline at 800-978-3040 – both have the most recent information so that people can stay informed about open flu clinics.

"People are disappointed that there isn’t more vaccine available – we are too," said Ms. O’Leary. "Every county health department has a team working to make sure it is getting out to providers, hospitals, and clinics. Once received, we’re moving it out quickly."

Until the vaccine arrives in adequate quantity, officials say that the other prevention measures become even more important.

"If you’re even thinking about going to work or to school if you’re sick, don’t," said Dr. Oxman. "We all have to take responsibility for ourselves, our families and our communities and stop the spread of H1N1 flu."

Dr. Oxman also reminded people to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer whenever possible, and to cover their coughs and sneezes.

For more information, call the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline at 1-800-978-3040 or visit www.flu.oregon.gov

Reports around Oregon show that demand for seasonal flu vaccine is higher than ever and some clinics and pharmacies have gone through their early supplies. Public health officials say that more vaccine is on the way by the end of November, in plenty of time for the winter flu season.

"The heightened awareness of H1N1 flu has increased demand for seasonal vaccine and that's a good thing because it means more people will seek the protection of the vaccine,” says Cieslak. "We ask that Oregonians be patient as supplies increase and don’t lose their interest in getting the vaccine. Manufacturers are shipping the seasonal vaccine as quickly as possible and it will be here in plenty of time to protect people against the seasonal flu, which generally hits in December or January."

Full press release is below:

Click here to download:

2009-1013.pdf (61 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

2009-1013.pdf (61 KB)

Purpose of the Fraudulent Products List

This list is intended to alert consumers about Web sites that are illegally marketing unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products in relation to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus (sometimes referred to as the “swine flu” virus). Note that until evidence to the contrary is presented to FDA, the owner of the listed Web site is considered responsible for promoting the unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products. The uses related to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus are not necessarily being promoted by the manufacturers of the products.

Consumer Considerations about the Products List

• This list does not include every Web site that is marketing products related to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus without FDA approval, clearance, or authorization, only those Web sites to which FDA has issued a warning letter.
• Even if a Web site is not included in this list, consumers should exercise caution before purchasing over the Internet any product purporting to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus.
• Please note that some of these products may be approved or cleared by FDA for other medical uses. The fact that a product is listed on this page indicates ONLY that the products are not cleared, approved, or authorized for the diagnosis, mitigation, prevention, treatment, or cure of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.

http://flu.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/flu/h1n1vseasonal.shtml

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon today announced actions to provide peace of mind to its members in fully insured plans by waiving certain out-of-pocket costs that would otherwise be associated with the administration of the H1N1 vaccine.

“LifeWise has been planning and preparing for scenarios related to H1N1 flu since the issue arose this spring,” said Dr. Roki Chauhan, LifeWise’s Chief Medical Officer. “We are actively engaged with our associates, our members, our customers, and our network of healthcare providers to meet their respective needs on this issue.”

LIFEWISE WAIVES MEMBER COSTS FOR H1N1 VACCINE

Flu vaccinations, including the H1N1 vaccine, are generally a covered benefit for LifeWise customers; in fact, most LifeWise plans cover these immunizations at no cost to the member. In addition to that existing coverage, LifeWise is waiving certain out-of-pocket costs that would otherwise be incurred by members receiving the H1N1 vaccine. LifeWise will cover the cost of the administration of the H1N1 vaccine for all fully insured members, including those who have reached their preventive care benefit maximum or whose plan does not include an immunization benefit.

This action is a part of LifeWise’s efforts since April, when H1N1 came to the attention of the health community, to be prepared to provide continuous service to its providers and members in the event of a major flu outbreak. The decision to waive certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the administration of the H1N1 vaccine until further notice is based on LifeWise’s recognition of the unique nature of this flu virus and the company’s desire to encourage appropriate member access to the vaccine.

“We want our members to have peace of mind knowing that receiving the H1N1 vaccine will not require payment of out-of-pocket costs for administration of the vaccination,” Chauhan added.

“We urge our members in at-risk groups as defined by the CDC to receive vaccinations recommended by that agency. In the meantime, we strongly encourage everyone to follow common sense steps to help minimize flu transmission,” Chauhan concluded.

The CDC currently recommends individuals in the following groups receive the H1N1 vaccine:

* Pregnant women
* People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
* Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
* Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
* People ages 25 through 64 years who have chronic health disorders
or compromised immune systems.

LifeWise remains actively engaged in monitoring and preparing for all appropriate steps to support its associates, members, customers, and network of healthcare providers during the upcoming flu season.

More information regarding the flu and the H1N1 virus, including links to relevant health organizations, is available at www.lifewiseor.com at the “The Flu and You” icon.

About LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon

LifeWise has been serving the health insurance needs of Oregon families and employers for more than 20 years. LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon is a member of a family of companies with operations in Portland and Bend, Oregon; Mountlake Terrace and Spokane, Washington; and Anchorage, Alaska. LifeWise and its affiliates employ about 3,000 people and provide healthcare coverage and related services to 1.6 million members and their families. For more information, please visit www.lifewiseor.com.