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We have come a long way in our understanding of H1N1 influenza since that fateful day, April 24, 2009, when the Platte County Health Department received notification that the first cases of a strange, novel virus now commonly called the “swine flu” had been diagnosed in the United States.

We monitored the situation over that weekend and began activating our emergency response personnel the following Monday. For several years we had been preparing for the probability of a worldwide pandemic flu.

However, we originally thought that it would come as a result of the avian flu outbreak in Indonesia. We believed then that the “bird” flu would eventually mutate and then slowly make its way to the United States. We had no idea on that Friday afternoon that by the following Wednesday we would announce that a citizen of Platte County had the first confirmed case of H1N1 in the state of Missouri, with several more cases to follow. Within a few weeks, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 influenza a worldwide pandemic flu.

The frenzy of the spring eventually calmed down, but the virus did not go completely dormant over the summer. Most cases of H1N1 diagnosed during the months to follow were relatively mild, requiring nothing more than rest at home, fluids and fever reducers.

A vaccine was developed composed of the avian, swine and human viruses, which are the components of this H1N1 influenza strain. Clinical trials were held this summer, and production of the vaccine began en masse. Everyone knew that the first shipments of vaccine would be limited.

People throughout the country wondered if there would be enough to go around.

Since our vaccine supply was limited, we had to offer the first immunizations to those people thought to be most at risk for complications. As our supplies have increased we are now able to offer the immunization to more priority groups, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control. The Platte County Health Department is currently offering H1N1 vaccinations to the public on Wednesdays at its Parkville location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at its Platte City location on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The priority groups that are now eligible to receive the vaccine at the Platte County Health Department include:

• Pregnant women with an order from their OB;

• People who live with or care for infants under 6 months of age;

• Infants 6 months of age to adults 24 years old;

• Adults 25 to 64 with underlying chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, with an order from their physician

• Health care and emergency response personnel with direct patient contact.

Those eligible to receive the vaccine must bring proof of Platte County residency and physician orders where required. Health care workers, emergency response personnel, or child-care providers should bring proof of employment, and parents should bring birth certificates for children less than 6 months of age, if the infant is not present.

We believe in the near future there will be enough vaccine so anyone who wants to receive the immunization will be able to do so. For the latest information on the availability of vaccine, please visit our Web site at: www.plattecountyhealthdept.com.

Susan Hoskins is an official with the Platte County Health Department

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