New Hampshire Announces H1N1 Vaccination Rates

New England States Have Highest Rates in the Nation

Concord, NH – According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released yesterday, New Hampshire vaccinated 28% of its residents against 2009 H1N1 influenza as of the end of January. This is above the nationwide average of 24%. For children (6 months to 17 years of age), the vaccination rate in New Hampshire was 46%, compared with 37% for the country as a whole.

“We are very pleased with the overall results,” said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, “but we know there is room for improvement. We learned a great deal from this event about conducting a large-scale vaccination campaign and we will use these lessons learned to improve our plans for the future.”

The New England states had the highest rates by region according to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, with Maine having the highest rate in New England. Rhode Island had the highest rate overall at 38.8% of its population. Nationwide the CDC estimates that 60 million people became ill with H1N1 and between 72 and 81 million people were vaccinated during the campaign. The numbers are the result of two surveys conducted the by CDC among all the states.

“DHHS and the Division of Public Health Services want to thank the hundreds of individuals in New Hampshire who contributed tirelessly to this effort,” said Dr. Montero. “It would absolutely not have been possible without their contributions. We also want to recognize the citizens of New Hampshire who stayed informed of the situation and took the recommended precautions against this pandemic including being vaccinated.”

There is still evidence that H1N1 is circulating in parts of the U.S. Vaccine is still available in New Hampshire and those most at risk of complications are encouraged to receive it. For more information, visit www.nh.gov and click on the H1N1 Influenza Resource Center or call the New Hampshire Inquiry Line by dialing 211. To view then entire CDC report, go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/.



NH DHHS - New Hampshire Meets H1N1 Vaccination Goal

New Hampshire Meets H1N1 Vaccination Goal of 300K by Valentine’s Day

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today announced that 302,951 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been administered as of February 14, 2010, meeting its vaccination goal of 300,000 doses by Valentine’s Day.

“People who have been vaccinated are protecting their loved ones against H1N1 flu, as well as themselves,” said Public Health Director Dr. José Montero. “The more people who have been vaccinated, the more everyone in the State is protected against the possibility of future outbreaks.”

With roughly 23% of the population protected by the vaccine, and about the same percentage of residents protected because of immunity developed from having had the H1N1 flu, almost half of the population is now protected from H1N1 – making it much less likely that future widespread outbreaks can occur.

“It seems that this has been a replacement flu season, where H1N1 became the seasonal flu for this year,” says Dr. Montero. “The typical seasonal influenza strains of the past few years have been almost nonexistent in New Hampshire this flu season. Luckily, the H1N1 vaccine has been just about a perfect match against the novel H1N1 flu strain, and with so many Granite Staters protected we have greatly prevented its ability to spread.”

Many of the doses were delivered at more than 420 public and school-based vaccine clinics organized by health network partners in the State’s All Health Hazard Regions. Now that there is plenty of vaccine available, walk-in clinics are being offered at retail pharmacies, small businesses, and community organizations. The vaccine also continues to be readily available at doctors’ offices, healthcare provider clinics, and hospitals throughout the State.

Rite-Aid, Shaws-Osco, and Walgreens pharmacy outlets are offering walk-in H1N1 vaccination across the State, as are Concentra Medical Centers. Some small businesses are hosting vaccine clinics for their employees, and so are various public and private schools, colleges, retail malls, sporting events and even ski areas throughout New Hampshire. Parents are reminded to be sure that their children who are 9-years–old and younger receive a booster dose to ensure a high level of immunity.

For information about clinics and other H1N1 resources visit www.nh.gov or call the NH Public Inquiry line between 8 and 5 by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-444-4211. Additional H1N1 resources are available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov and the US Department of Health and Human Services website at www.flu.gov.



NH DHHS Sets H1N1 Vaccination Goal of 300K by Valentine’s Day

Announces Widespread Vaccine Availability Through Pharmacies and Healthcare Providers

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today announced that it is encouraging all Granite Staters 6 months and older to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine, with a goal of having 300,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine administered by Valentine’s Day, 2010.

“While influenza activity has been stable over the last couple of weeks, the more people that get vaccinated now the less likely it is that we will see a third wave of H1N1 flu this spring,” said Public Health Director Dr. José Montero. “We now have plenty of vaccine available, and it is my hope that everyone who has not yet received it will take the time between now and Valentine’s Day to get vaccinated, as this is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against H1N1 flu.”

Over 260,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been administered across the state to date, most of them delivered at more than 400 large-scale public and school-based vaccine clinics that our partners in the All Health Hazard Regions have organized.

Now that there is sufficient vaccine available statewide, the Department’s vaccine distribution strategy is shifting from large public clinic events to smaller-scale walk-in clinics at retail pharmacies, small businesses and community organizations. The vaccine also continues to be readily available at doctors’ offices, healthcare provider clinics and hospitals throughout the state.

“We are transitioning to a distribution strategy that makes it easier for people to get the vaccine, ” said Montero. “Instead of requiring people to come to the vaccine, which was most effective when there was a limited supply, we now have enough vaccine to bring it to the people where it is most convenient for them to get it.”

Pharmacies offering walk-in H1N1 vaccination include Rite-Aid, Shaws-Osco, CVS and Walgreens pharmacy outlets across the state. A variety of small businesses are hosting vaccine clinics for their employees. Community services and faith-based organizations are also organizing clinics, as are various public and private schools, colleges, retail malls, sporting events and even ski areas throughout New Hampshire.

For information about clinics and other H1N1 resources visit www.nh.gov or call the NH Public Inquiry line between 8 and 5 by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-444-4211. Additional H1N1 resources are available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website www.cdc.gov and the US Department of Health and Human Services at www.flu.gov.

E-News from New Hampshire Council of Churches, 11 January 2010

NH Legislature Re-Convenes
Heating Aid Attempt Fails; House Kicks Payday Lending Down the Road

The Senate attempted but ultimately failed to temporarily shift funds now dedicated to energy efficiency to the state's Electric Assistance Program. The move was expected to assist an estimated 8,000 low-income NH residents on a waiting list for help paying energy bills this winter. 

In a dramatic vote over in the NH House, lawmakers last week overturned a committee recommendation to kill SB193 - a bill which would extend New Hampshire's 36% interest rate cap on payday and car title loans to cover all small loans. It didn't pass that day but it survived to see another day - January 20 - when another House vote will be taken.  The bill is supported by a number of organizations as well as NH Banking Commissioner Peter Hildreth. More information about this bill and what it would do from Sarah Mattson or Jon Baird, NH Legal Assistance, 206-2214. Because of the tight vote, your calls in support of capping the interest rate on small loans to your House members over the next week are important. Click here to find contacts for your state representatives.

This Wednesday, the House will vote on other bills carried over from 2009 that may be of interest. HB 304, an assisted suicide bill, is recommended inexpedient to legislate. Against the backdrop of the spread of H1N1 and a tough economy, the Committee studying paid sick leave for workers has  recommended the idea be referred for further study. A bill to ban all live dog racing in the state - with both NH dog tracks now closed - is recommended to pass. HB 642, which would establish a flat rate education income tax, while reducing statewide property, business and other taxes has been rejected by the House Ways & Means Committee, which is asking the House to agree and kill the proposal.

Legislation to expand gaming in NH, for and against new forms of taxation, for and against expanding healthcare for low and moderate-income children through Healthy Kids, same-sex marriage, abortion and other measures are proposed in what is shaping up to be a busy year for policy makers. We will report on matters of priority to Council members. If you work on policy matters for your denomination, please contact Policy Associate Laurel Redden with news of your work at 894-5931 or Laurel@nhchurches.org.

NH DHHS Opens H1N1 Vaccine Supply to All Granite Staters 6 Months and Older

Populations at High-Risk For Complications Remain a Priority for Vaccination

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today announced all Granite Staters 6 months and older are eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The recent increase in the supply of H1N1 vaccine has enabled DHHS to expand vaccination efforts to the general public.

“We know there are many people who have been waiting for this news,” said Public Health Director Dr. José Montero, “and while this is good news, we continue to strongly encourage those most at risk for complications from H1N1 to get the vaccine, including pregnant women and people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age.”

The following high-risk groups are still encouraged to be vaccinated against H1N1:

· Pregnant women
· People living with or caring for infants younger than 6 months old (including partners of pregnant women)
· Anyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age
· Healthcare workers with direct patient contact
· People 25 – 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions

“While influenza-like illness has been decreasing the last couple of weeks, there is the very real possibility we will see another wave of this pandemic,” said Montero. “It is my hope that everyone will make time during the holiday season to get vaccinated, as this is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the H1N1 flu.”

The vaccine is free and available through healthcare providers and the public and school-based clinics that are being organized through the State’s All Health Hazard Regions. Children younger than 6 months of age are not eligible to receive the vaccine because influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group.

For H1N1 resources and information about clinics visit www.nh.gov or call the NH Public Inquiry line between 8 and 5 by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-444-4211. Additional H1N1 resources are available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov and the US Department of Health and Human Services at www.flu.gov.