Flu cases remain high, and H1N1 is still the predominant strain. That update comes from Dr. Lilian Peake, the director of the Thomas Jefferson Health District. Peake says adequate supplies of H1N1 vaccine will not be available to the general public until early to mid-December. She says high-risk groups are still the target. Peake says flu cases in Virginia reached their high point on October 31st, but the illness comes in waves and more outbreaks can be expected. Peake says an H1N1 clinic was held Monday at Agnor-Hurt elementary, a clinic will be held Wednesday at United Christian Academy in Greene, and vaccinations targeting daycare will be held Friday in Fluvanna. The CDC has recommended that children 10 years old and younger get an H1N1 booster after the initial vaccination. Dr. Peake says the shortage has no effect on the timeline. She says the CDC recommends waiting four weeks in between the first dose and the booster, but it doesn't matter how long it takes to get the second dose after that four-week minimum. Peake says a long waiting period in between does not affect immunity. Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Health has added a feature to its website where you can the find the location of vaccination clinics in your area. That can be seen at vdh.virginia.gov.
