California health officials are escalating efforts to prepare for a surge in H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu.
The state expects to receive about two million doses of the H1N1 vaccine by mid-October and an additional eight million by the end of the month.
In a California Healthline Special Report by Deirdre Kennedy, experts discussed various measures to control the spread of the H1N1 virus.
The Special Report includes comments from:
- Deborah Burger, president of the California Nurses Association labor union;
- Gil Chavez, deputy director of the California Department of Public Health’s Center for Infectious Diseases;
- Cheri Hummel, vice president of disaster preparations with the California Hospital Association; and
- Hilary McLean of the California Department of Education.
Hospitals and health agencies are training their workers to fill in for other staff who could fall ill from H1N1 flu.
Meanwhile, school officials are using online tools to spread awareness about the virus (Kennedy, California Healthline, 9/8).