Darien Health Officials Warn of H1N1 Resurgence

April showers bring May flowers—and a not-so-pretty spike in flu hospitalizations. A third wave of the pandemic flu is right around the corner, and Darien health officials say immunization shots against the H1N1 virus are the best protection against infection.

Unlike regular flu, which peaks from January to March, H1N1 or swine flu tends to strike communities every 20 weeks and last anywhere from six to 12 weeks. Darien Director of Health David Knauf says that the most recent wave of H1N1 virus hit Connecticut in late October; the next bout, he says, is imminent.

"There is a chance we could see another H1N1 spike in March, and we want to make sure that everyone who wants the vaccine gets it," said Knauf.

Health officials have encouraged immunizations against the flu since the first insurgence of the H1N1 virus last spring. Media reports of a deadly resurgence last fall saw vaccine demand skyrocket; supplies quickly ran dry, leaving many yet to be vaccinated residents feeling frightened, frustrated and downright wretched.

"There seems to be an inverse supply and demand, here," said Knauf. "Now we've got the vaccine, and anyone can receive it, there's not the urgency to get it."

That's not to say the Health Department hasn't seen a steady stream of traffic through its Town Hall flu clinic doors. Knauf says his staff has administered about 1,300 H1N1 vaccines to Darien residents since last September; coupled with seasonal flu, that number tops 2000.

The next vaccine clinic has been schedule for Feb. 25 at Town Hall: a collaborative effort of the Health Department and the Board of Education who is helping to publicize the event among Darien school parents.

And this time, Knauf says there's ample vaccine.

"I've got a fridge full of over 500 doses," he said.

Still, where a fridge full of vaccine is good news, it's only beneficial once administered, said Darien's medical adviser Dr. Caleb Moore.

"The fact is vaccine prevents resurgence in a community," said Moore. "Health care costs are associated with curative measures, where preventative actions can prevent disease from occurring or evolving."

A preventative H1N1 flu shot from Knauf's staff will cost you zero dollars, courtesy of the State of Connecticut Department of Health. Knauf says the state money that local departments receive to administer the vaccine helps to cover the cost of the vaccine itself.

"In that respect the 'vaccine budget' is self-sustaining," said Knauf.

The anticipated March through May up tick is likely to be significantly smaller than that of last fall, said Moore, as more of the population has been immunized against the virus.

"We really want people to know that if they haven't received a vaccine, it's not too late," Moore said.

Adults typically mount immunity to the flu two weeks after vaccination, as do children who are encouraged to receive a second "booster" shot, said Moore. The same is true of both the injectable and nasal spray variety.

Mark your calendars for the next H1N1 flu clinic: Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 119 at the Town Hall.