H1N1 Vaccine Trickles into Area

H1N1 vaccine trickles into local area

By MARY ANN HELLINGHAUSEN
Updated: 10.19.09
The vaccine for H1N1 flu is slowly getting to Bay Area physicians, and at least one local hospital is changing its visitation guidelines during flu season.

The nasal mist has been shipped to some area physicians and health departments, but the injectable vaccine is not yet available in most physicians’ offices.

Meanwhile a 16-year-old junior from Dobie High School is confirmed as having died from the H1N1 flu.

A Pasadena school district spokeswoman said the flu diagnosis was confirmed late last week after the student died Oct. 14. She said the county health department indicated there was an underlying medical condition, but did not specify what it was.

The student had not attended classes since Sept. 28, so it was unlikely that any other students had been exposed by contact with him at school.

Clear Creek school district officials say flu numbers among students in the district are “low and steady,” with no recent spikes.

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