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**Tonka** · October 29, 2009, 01:36 PM

Re: 5th Death Confirmed in Iowa in Week 41

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-flu-response-102709,0,6692639.story

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FLU PEAK: You could get sick not once, but four times this year
Emily Carlson Reporter
October 28, 2009

Every year, they tell us how important it is to get vaccinated. Yet Health Departments across the state are completely out of both kinds of flu vaccine.

The Polk County Health Department cancelled three dozen seasonal flu clinics, and H1N1 vaccine supplies are gone as soon as they arrive. Health officials say the shortages could make a difficult flu season even worse.

"A significant part of the community we haven't been able to provide vaccines to because we haven't received the shots," says Rick Kozin of the Polk County Health Department.

The county does have 2,000 doses of the mist left, but not everyone can receive the mist because it contains a tiny bit of live virus. Polk County is missing a third of their supply, mostly the shot version of the vaccine, and they have no indication when or even if it might arrive.

"The production process is a complex process. It's a very complex process and there are some issues to be resolved," says Kozin.

Currently, in Iowa, there are six confirmed H1N1 deaths. In the U.S., there are 411 confirmed H1N1 deaths. But here's the scary part: there are 2,400 deaths from influenza and pneumonia so far, and the Iowa Department of Public Heath says, a vast majority of them are from H1N1."Here in Iowa, fortunately only six people are dead. The deaths are all tragic, but now we're going into the biggest peak of the year," says Dr. Patricia Quinlisk with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health.

Health officials are predicting three waves of H1N1 to roll through. We are currently in the biggest peak right now, with another one expected after the holidays. The seasonal flu is expected in about a month and a half, with just one long wave. That means you still have time to get vaccinated. That is, if you can find a dose to spare.

"That's not why we became public health workers; to have to say no to people who want to do the right thing," says Kozin.

The Polk County Health Department hopes it will receive another shipment of the H1N1 vaccine this week. When it does arrive, pregnant women in Polk County can be first in line. Call 323-5330 to get on a waiting list. Those on the list will then be notified when the vaccine is available. Polk County Health says 266 women are already signed up.
Copyright ? 2009, WHO-TV

**JimO** · October 29, 2009, 05:56 PM

Re: 5th Death Confirmed in Iowa in Week 41

I assume that the 2,400 P&I deaths being referred to are nationwide and not just in Iowa.

**Commonground** · October 30, 2009, 08:15 AM

Re: 5th Death Confirmed in Iowa in Week 41

2 more swine flu deaths in Iowa
October 30, 2009 8:04 AM ET

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - State health officials say two more Iowans have died of complications from swine flu.
The Iowans, both adults, were from Marion and Mahaska counties. Their names, ages, genders and hometowns were not released.
Iowa Department of Public Health spokeswoman Polly Carver-Kimm says the deaths happened within the past two weeks and both involved people with other chronic health issues that made them more suspectible to complications from the H1N1 virus.
Information from: The Des Moines Register,

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5th Death Confirmed in Iowa in Week 41

5th Death Confirmed in Iowa in Week 41

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