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Statement issued Friday by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Oct. 30, 2009). – A middle-aged woman who died this week from complications of influenza-like illness is the first death from H1N1 in Allen County.
Laboratory testing confirmed today the cause of death as related to H1N1 flu. Health officials will not be releasing any other information about the individual for confidentiality reasons.
This would be the 12th confirmed H1N1 flu-related death in Indiana since June.
"Our sympathy goes out to the family," says Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan.
"We know that in most cases, the flu is a mild illness. But this death is a reminder that H1N1 flu, just like seasonal influenza, can be a life-threatening disease."
The health department will be holding a public vaccination clinic at Carew Medical Park on Monday, Nov. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m.
For now, the H1N1 injectable vaccine offered at Carew is being reserved for pregnant women, caregivers of children less than 6 months, and children six months through 18 years of age. The H1N1 nasal spray vaccine will also be available for healthy children and young adults (2 years – 24 years) and for people who live with or provide care to infants less than six months of age.
The department will also offer an H1N1 vaccine clinic for pregnant women on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. The vaccine does not contain thimerosal.
More than 9,200 people have been vaccinated for H1N1 flu since the clinic opened on Oct. 9. The vaccine is free. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of influenza should stay home and contact a health care provider. People can also limit the spread of flu by covering their cough and washing their hands.
For more information, go to www.FightTheFlu.org or call 2-1-1.
Vaccines available at the Carew Medical Park clinic
H1N1 vaccine (injectable)
- For pregnant women
- For children age 6 months through 18 years of age
- For persons of any age who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)
- If a person is ill with a fever, he or she cannot get the vaccine
- H1N1 FluMist vaccine (nasal spray)
- For healthy children and young adults 2 to 24 years of age who do not have underlying health conditions
- For persons up to age 49 who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)
No child younger than 2 years of age can get this vaccine
No adult older than 49 can get this vaccine
If a person has had any live vaccine such as the MMR, Varicella (chickenpox) or the seasonal flu mist vaccine in the last 28 days, he or she cannot receive the H1N1 FluMist vaccine
Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected
The seasonal flu vaccine is no longer available.
Be a Flu Fighter!
- Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze
Go to www.FightTheFlu.org
