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Pharmacies Start Flu Shot Campaigns

2 More Valley Residents Die From H1N1 Virus

POSTED: 10:23 pm PDT September 1, 2009
UPDATED: 8:58 am PDT September 2, 2009

Two more Las Vegas Valley deaths are being attributed to the H1N1 virus as two major drug store chains begin free and low-cost flu shot campaigns.

The Southern Nevada Health District said a 51-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman have died. Both also had other medical problems.

The two cases bring the total number of H1N1 deaths in Clark County to 10.

There is concern about the number of H1N1 flu shots that will be distributed when they are ready. Those shots won't be available until the middle of next month. But seasonal flu shots are now available at several places around the Valley.

The seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot are different. While the shot available now is expected to have a full supply, the supply of the H1N1 vaccine could pose a huge problem when it's released.

Tuesday was the first day the seasonal flu shot was available at many Valley pharmacies like Walgreens. Customers said they wanted to get it done early.

“Definitely worth it -- I didn't take a flu shot one year, and I got really sick, real bad, so it's worth it,” said resident David Kang.

Pharmacists said customers seemed up-to-date about H1N1.

“I've only had a few people ask about it. Most others already knew about it. They actually say, ‘This is not the H1N1. I know that.’ But I think everyone's ready for that shot to come also,” said Walgreens pharmacy manager Jamie St. Claire.

The H1N1 vaccine is currently being tested and won't be available until at least mid-October. But with cases nationwide growing this summer -- a time where flu cases traditionally go down -- there is anticipation for the vaccine.

CCSD director of health services Diana Taylor said Nevada has been told at this point it would get 400,000 doses for the entire state. Clark County School District alone has more than 300,000 students.

Parents will be asked to be the gatekeeper with their kids.

“We really have to rely on parents to monitor fever, cold and flu symptoms and keeping kids home when they're sick. Where our job comes in is when they come to school and monitoring when they're sick,” Taylor said.

The district won't make the shot mandatory, and the health district said it will continue to follow CDC guidelines for everything involving H1N1.

“What we are going to be doing is following CDC guidelines and recommendations for initial groups of people who should get the H1N1 vaccines,” said Stephanie Bethel, of the health district.

It's possible that the H1N1 vaccine could require two different shots.

Testing continues, with answers expected in the coming weeks in terms of how many shots, how many doses and how big the controversy of who gets what.

President Barack Obama said the government will "strongly recommend" people get the H1N1 vaccine. A white house report suggests that up to half of the U.S. population could be infected with H1N1.


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