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Health commissioner on H1N1: 'An unprecedented undertaking'
By SUSAN ALLEN STAFF WRITER - Published: December 27, 2009
MONTPELIER ? With swine flu on the wane as 2009 comes to a close, Vermont Health Commissioner Wendy Davis reflected on the pandemic that, over the course of this year, hit every region of the state and left three Vermonters dead.
"I don't think we should take lightly what we've been through in that regard," Davis said recently, reflecting on the flu pandemic that was widespread in Vermont and across the nation. "There was a lot of illness, and earlier in the season than we ordinarily see.
"Going forward we'll study what worked the best about it, the hiccups, what might be useful (in the future)," Davis said.
The commissioner said when she first began hearing about the potential for a swine flu pandemic, like many, she was very worried. The worst scenarios involved widespread illness and death, the possibility of many Americans having to stay home and away from jobs, and the day-to-day activities across the country ? perhaps the world ? coming to a dangerous halt.
"We were concerned because we knew the potential for its impact on our communities, for disrupting our daily lives," Davis said. "I did have a worry the severity of illness could become more serious, and that would have made the pandemic much worse and much more disruptive, and taken a higher toll in illness and death."
So far, the federal Centers for Disease Control estimates more than 1 million Americans have had swine flu, with cases reported globally, as well, in more than 200 countries. The total number of deaths as of late December was nearly 10,600, according to the World Health Organization.
While those numbers sound alarming, the vast majority of swine flu cases did not lead to death. In fact, most people recovered from the illness by following standard flu protocols ? staying home from school and work, getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids.
"That's the thing that was so unpredictable in the beginning," she added. "I'm pleased it hasn't been worse in that regard."
In March, the world learned of the first diagnosed case of swine flu in Mexico, and the first known death occurred in that country one month later. By May, every region of the United States was affected by the H1N1 virus, while worldwide cases had topped 10,000. Vaccination development began, as did public outreach.
In June, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, the first in 40 years, based not on the severity of the illness ? the death toll worldwide had hit 144 ? but on the number of cases and spread of the disease. In October, 48 states were reporting widespread cases of the swine flu, and the vaccine began to be administered in a nationwide effort to stem the impact, earmarked first for those at highest risk of the illness. Clinics began in schools, but eventually became available in public settings, including the Barre Auditorium.
Also in October, Vermont reported its first death ? an adult with additional medical problems, as was the case with each of the other two deaths reported this year. A handful of schools briefly closed this fall in Vermont due to high student absences, and people were turned away from vaccination clinics because demand for vaccine outstripped supply.
Finally, in December, the number of cases began to drop. In addition, shipments of vaccine increased to the point that the state Department of Health gave the OK for its administration to all Vermonters, not just those at high risk (although they did remain a priority).
Davis said the prevention and vaccination effort has gone well, but with a few glitches, including the accidental destruction of about 800 doses of vaccine in October when a department refrigeration unit malfunctioned.
"Thankfully, that was an isolated occurrence," she said, noting that the department learned from the mistake. "That in and of itself caused us to change our monitoring or alarm systems to prevent that from happening again."
Overall, Davis said, the effort to control the spread of the disease went well.
"I'm very proud of the immunization accomplishment. We don't normally at the VDH conduct this type of large scale immunization effort," Davis said. "This was really an unprecedented undertaking for us, particularly at a time when we're not overflowing with extra staff."
She said also impressive was the cooperation struck between the department and "partners" across the state, including the Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice organization, which administered some of the clinics.
"It's been a very successful campaign, despite the scarcity of the vaccine supply," Davis said.
She said the public information effort has also gone well, with people attending state and local community meetings with health officials to learn more about the disease. "I hope that we've done a good job of providing credible information to Vermonters," Davis said. She said panic was largely avoided, adding, "People bring many fears to these discussions and lots of anxiety."
Still, the commissioner cautioned, "I am not at all complacent, nor is our staff, about what could lie ahead."
The department is urging Vermonters to continue to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, even as the illness declines. Health officials are urging college students, home for the holidays, to get vaccinated, for example.
There are several unknowns heading into 2010, she said, including the start of the seasonal flu period, which gets underway now and extends into the spring. As with the swine flu, the Vermont Department of Health is urging people to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
In addition, there is concern the H1N1 virus could 'morph' in the coming months, a re-emerge in the spring in a format that is resistant to the vaccine.
"Any of those could cause a great deal of community and social disruption," Davis said.
"It's unpredictable," the commissioner said of the swine flu.
"We might see more H1N1 in the coming months, as well as seasonal flu," she added. "Those are the kinds of things we're thinking about. I don't think we should assume that H1N1 has gone away. People should take advantage of this opportunity to be vaccinated."
By SUSAN ALLEN STAFF WRITER - Published: December 27, 2009
MONTPELIER ? With swine flu on the wane as 2009 comes to a close, Vermont Health Commissioner Wendy Davis reflected on the pandemic that, over the course of this year, hit every region of the state and left three Vermonters dead.
"I don't think we should take lightly what we've been through in that regard," Davis said recently, reflecting on the flu pandemic that was widespread in Vermont and across the nation. "There was a lot of illness, and earlier in the season than we ordinarily see.
"Going forward we'll study what worked the best about it, the hiccups, what might be useful (in the future)," Davis said.
The commissioner said when she first began hearing about the potential for a swine flu pandemic, like many, she was very worried. The worst scenarios involved widespread illness and death, the possibility of many Americans having to stay home and away from jobs, and the day-to-day activities across the country ? perhaps the world ? coming to a dangerous halt.
"We were concerned because we knew the potential for its impact on our communities, for disrupting our daily lives," Davis said. "I did have a worry the severity of illness could become more serious, and that would have made the pandemic much worse and much more disruptive, and taken a higher toll in illness and death."
So far, the federal Centers for Disease Control estimates more than 1 million Americans have had swine flu, with cases reported globally, as well, in more than 200 countries. The total number of deaths as of late December was nearly 10,600, according to the World Health Organization.
While those numbers sound alarming, the vast majority of swine flu cases did not lead to death. In fact, most people recovered from the illness by following standard flu protocols ? staying home from school and work, getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids.
"That's the thing that was so unpredictable in the beginning," she added. "I'm pleased it hasn't been worse in that regard."
In March, the world learned of the first diagnosed case of swine flu in Mexico, and the first known death occurred in that country one month later. By May, every region of the United States was affected by the H1N1 virus, while worldwide cases had topped 10,000. Vaccination development began, as did public outreach.
In June, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, the first in 40 years, based not on the severity of the illness ? the death toll worldwide had hit 144 ? but on the number of cases and spread of the disease. In October, 48 states were reporting widespread cases of the swine flu, and the vaccine began to be administered in a nationwide effort to stem the impact, earmarked first for those at highest risk of the illness. Clinics began in schools, but eventually became available in public settings, including the Barre Auditorium.
Also in October, Vermont reported its first death ? an adult with additional medical problems, as was the case with each of the other two deaths reported this year. A handful of schools briefly closed this fall in Vermont due to high student absences, and people were turned away from vaccination clinics because demand for vaccine outstripped supply.
Finally, in December, the number of cases began to drop. In addition, shipments of vaccine increased to the point that the state Department of Health gave the OK for its administration to all Vermonters, not just those at high risk (although they did remain a priority).
Davis said the prevention and vaccination effort has gone well, but with a few glitches, including the accidental destruction of about 800 doses of vaccine in October when a department refrigeration unit malfunctioned.
"Thankfully, that was an isolated occurrence," she said, noting that the department learned from the mistake. "That in and of itself caused us to change our monitoring or alarm systems to prevent that from happening again."
Overall, Davis said, the effort to control the spread of the disease went well.
"I'm very proud of the immunization accomplishment. We don't normally at the VDH conduct this type of large scale immunization effort," Davis said. "This was really an unprecedented undertaking for us, particularly at a time when we're not overflowing with extra staff."
She said also impressive was the cooperation struck between the department and "partners" across the state, including the Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice organization, which administered some of the clinics.
"It's been a very successful campaign, despite the scarcity of the vaccine supply," Davis said.
She said the public information effort has also gone well, with people attending state and local community meetings with health officials to learn more about the disease. "I hope that we've done a good job of providing credible information to Vermonters," Davis said. She said panic was largely avoided, adding, "People bring many fears to these discussions and lots of anxiety."
Still, the commissioner cautioned, "I am not at all complacent, nor is our staff, about what could lie ahead."
The department is urging Vermonters to continue to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, even as the illness declines. Health officials are urging college students, home for the holidays, to get vaccinated, for example.
There are several unknowns heading into 2010, she said, including the start of the seasonal flu period, which gets underway now and extends into the spring. As with the swine flu, the Vermont Department of Health is urging people to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
In addition, there is concern the H1N1 virus could 'morph' in the coming months, a re-emerge in the spring in a format that is resistant to the vaccine.
"Any of those could cause a great deal of community and social disruption," Davis said.
"It's unpredictable," the commissioner said of the swine flu.
"We might see more H1N1 in the coming months, as well as seasonal flu," she added. "Those are the kinds of things we're thinking about. I don't think we should assume that H1N1 has gone away. People should take advantage of this opportunity to be vaccinated."
