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January 16, 2013

Flu Emergency. How prepared are we?

NYS, Boston declare public health emergency as widespread flu remains "intense"

New York State joined Boston, MA by declaring a public health emergency as a result of seasonal influenza. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino made the emergency declaration on January 9, 2013, New York followed with its own emergency declaration at the direction Governor Cuomo on January 12.

The NYS declaration includes an Executive Order that allows pharmacists to administer flu vaccination to people six-months and older. Governor Cuomo strongly urged all New Yorkers to get a flu shot and directed the NYS Health Department to "to marshal all needed resources to address this public health emergency and remove all barriers to ensure that all New Yorkers - children and adults alike - have access to critically needed flu vaccines." Mayor Menino included statements urging people to remain home when sick in addition to getting a flu vaccine. Mayor Menino further stated that "This is not only a health concern, but also an economic concern for families..."

Could we see flu coming?
The public health emergencies in Boston and New York State were issued during week 2 (January) 2013 while influenza had been identified as "high" or "widespread" in some states since week 46 (November) 2012. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  Mississippi was experiencing high or widespread flu activity in November (week 46) and by week 47, flu was identified as high or widespread in Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. By week 52 there were 30 states, including New York and Boston, that made the list of states experiencing high or widespread flu.

By comparison, Google Flu Trends identified NY and Massachusetts as having "high" flu activity on December 12, 2012. Flu activity was identified as "intense" in  NY and in Boston on December 23, 2012.

Both the NY and Boston public health officials encourage vaccination and have opened flu vaccine clinics and since the declarations of emergencies, mainstream media attention has expanded. Looking back, we haven't seen the flu awareness campaign as we did in response to the 2009 Swine flu situation.

Are public health and local health care systems prepared to deal with unexpected biologic situations? The answer is not reassuring.  According to Trust for Americas Health 10th annual Ready or Not? Protecting the Public from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism report, 35 states and Washington, D.C. scored a six or lower on 10 key indicators of public health preparedness. See also States Lagging in Emergency Preparedness by Healthday News.

While the 2012/2013 Flu Season continues, the question on the minds of many is: why is flu so bad this year?  While this question will be studied and debated, an easy answer may be that people simply did not get vaccinated and were unprepared for an early start to the flu season. The CDC states that its too early to define peak of flu season. However, the Washington Post is reporting that over 60% of Americans have not been vaccinated as of November 2012. Meanwhile, an interesting side story is developing...despite low vaccination rates, retail and healthcare systems are reporting dwindling vaccine supply. If vaccine supply is drying up when 60% of the population didn't get the shot, how ready were we in the first place?

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