Flu Widespread in 37 states; 3.7 Million Vaccine Doses Ordered by the States

Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, today reported that the H1N1 flu is widespread in most states and there has been an increase in outpatient visits, hospitalizations and deaths.

All states and Washington, D.C. have now placed orders for the H1N1 vaccine.  As of yesterday, 6.8 million doses are available to be ordered and 3.7 million doses had been ordered by states, with requests and disbursement numbers changing by the hour.

Next Friday, the CDC will begin posting a special state by state report on Flu.gov that will track how much H1N1 vaccine has been shipped to states, territories, and metropolitan areas each week.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, reported that studies have shown that the H1N1 vaccine injection and the seasonal flu vaccine injection can be given simultaneously.  He also reported that trials of H1N1 vaccine are beginning in people with asthma and in children, youth, and pregnant women infected with HIV.

The full CDC briefing can be seen here.