Source: State Bill Colorado
Chris Lindley, who gave Monday’s briefing to legislators, directs the emergency preparedness and response division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

By Kate Klein, STATE BILL COLORADO
DENVER — As cases of the H1N1 virus are on the rise in Colorado, pregnant women and youth are the most at risk of contracting this strain of flu. A vaccine is expected to be ready for these at risk groups by mid-October, an official of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said Monday in a briefing to legislators.
The H1N1 virus is demonstrating a typical bell curve of cases, which would usually be seen for a seasonal flu in mid January or February, said Chris Lindley, who directs the emergency preparedness and response division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The only difference, Lindley said, is that H1N1 is catching on earlier because it is a relatively new virus.
Interestingly, the elderly population is demonstrating certain immunity to the virus. Health officials do not yet know why the elderly population is particularly resistant. This immunity currently places elderly individuals low on the priority list for vaccination, Lindley said.
Colorado expects to receive 750,000 flu shots when the first shipment arrives. After that shipment, the state has been told it can expect a steady stream of vaccines each week until all interested parties have received a shot — sometime around early-November.
Regardless of when the H1N1 vaccination is ready, health officials urge all individuals to get their seasonal influenza vaccination, which is already available. “By no means is the H1N1 vaccine … a substitute for seasonal flue vaccine,” Lindley said.
The good news at this point is that the H1N1 virus has not developed any new mutations since last spring.
“Hopefully the virus will remain stable and won’t mutate” into multiple variations as we proceed into winter, Lindley said. At this point, one vaccine is sufficient for treating the virus.
Presently the World Health Organization is reporting 3,000 hospitalizations and fewer than 300,000 confirmed cases of H1N1 worldwide. However, these numbers are believed to be far short of the number of H1N1 cases actually out there.
In Colorado there have been 27 hospitalizations from Aug. 30 through Sept. 5. Arapahoe County has reported the most hospitalizations at nine individuals during this time period while Douglas, Jefferson, Mesa and Morgan counties have reported one case each.
Most individuals who catch the H1N1 virus are able to remain at home and rest for a few days until they recover. The health department advises individuals who display flu-like symptoms should remain at home until 24 hours after their fever drops below 100 degrees without the help of fever-suppressing medication.
To avoid catching H1N1, the health department recommends washing your hands frequently, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow, and staying home if you feel flu-like symptoms.
Many people may come down with H1N1 and make a full recovery before the vaccine is available. The health department recommends that citizens stay informed by visiting their website and following tips to stay healthy. You may also subscribe to email updates on the health department website at http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/H1N1.html

09_10 Hospitalizations by County
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

09 10 Hospital
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment