The West Virginia State Health Department recommends those who have already been diagnosed with swine flu receive vaccination.
“Not everyone who has been told they have the flu really has it,” said Toby Wagoner, public information specialist for the West Virginia State Health Department. “You must receive a state lab confirmed test of H1N1.”
Wagoner said even though people were told they had the virus, vaccines should be taken just in case.
“A pandemic like this comes in three waves. It would not hurt anyone to go ahead and receive the vaccine just in case they really didn’t have the flu to begin with. It will protect them for the spring wave,” Wagoner said.
He said that not receiving a state lab confirmed test for the virus, which only a few have, can cause confusion.
“If someone goes to the doctor with flu symptoms, they’ll more than likely say it’s swine. But if they have similar symptoms, they may only have a cold or some other type of virus, which is why we’re wanting everyone to be vaccinated,” Wagoner said.
He said given the unique combination of regular seasonal flu, as well as the H1N1 virus, it’s important for everyone to take action to reduce the transmission of influenza.
“We just want state residents to understand all the facts to better protect themselves and their families, and let them know that we are working with county health departments to ensure they get timely vaccines,” said Cathy Slemp, M.D., West Virginia State Health Officer.
“Quality and safety are taken very seriously and flu vaccine production takes time. We would all like to have the full supply of vaccine that will eventually be available to us now, but this is not possible.”
Slemp said by early January, the state should have enough H1N1 vaccine to distribute to every resident.
“The H1N1 vaccine matches the H1N1 flu virus very well. Really, the vaccination is the only and best way to prevent the onset of flu,” she said.
In response to all the questions and concerned to the H1N1 virus in the area, West Virginia State Health Department debuted its Swine Flu Resource Center Web site Monday. The Web site contains facts and statistics about the flu in our state and country, prevention methods, local updates and media releases.
“We wanted to answer all the questions that have seemed to be misleading. We realize people are confused about the virus strain and we wanted to put some minds at ease and put out the most up-to-date information we can,” Wagoner said.
Whitney Hunter can be contacted at howell38@marshall.edu.
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