Even though there has been a decline in pandemic influenza cases, the public also is advised not to let down the guards down about this yet.

There is vaccine available for the general population now.

The CDC has reported that, based on a national survey:

• About 46 million people had been vaccinated as of December 12, 2009.
• About twice as many children as adults had been vaccinated. (Children and young adults were at the top of the high-risk priority list.)
• As of now, the CDC estimates a total of 60 million Americans have been vaccinated.
• With a population of 305-plus million people, 1:5 children and adults have protection.

Medpage Today

“The initial doses of vaccine against pandemic H1N1 influenza were used quickly and reached the priority groups, the CDC said.

“According to a national survey, by Dec. 12 about 46 million people had been vaccinated, with coverage about twice as high in children as in adults, Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said today.

“Now, about 60 million Americans have probably been vaccinated, she said during a conference call with reporters.”

Source: Medpage Today, December 22, 2009

Source: CDC Telephone Briefing, December 22, 2009