Local health leaders say a second wave of the H1-N1 flu appears to have reached its peak, but now they are bracing for a third wave that could hit even harder. That third wave is expected to hit the U.S. in the next 12 to 14 weeks.
"Time limits can vary but there will be a third wave and our goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible to change the height of this third wave that will come," said Dr. Stephen May with the Sullivan County Health Department. Dr. May said that a third wave of the flu pandemic in 1918 affected the most people.
Doctors say you should still get the H1N1 vaccine even if you believe you've already been sick with the flu this season. That's because most people are not being tested for H1N1 so you can not be certain that's what you had. "There are a lot of viruses that can create a flu-like illness," said Dr. May.
Local health departments continue to get in the vaccine on a weekly basis and they strongly encourage everyone to get it, especially those in the target groups.
Target Groups Include:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
- People ages 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
