Institute for Public Health and Medicine Seminar Series
City council flu briefing feb 2013
1. Chicago Department of Public Health
Influenza Update
February 6, 2013
Bechara Choucair, MD
Commissioner
Chicago Department of Public Health
@choucair on
Rahm Emanuel Bechara Choucair, MD
Mayor Commissioner
2. Influenza
• Highly contagious respiratory illness
• Causes yearly epidemics and sporadic pandemics
• Affects all age groups
– Highest illness rates in young children
• Severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths
disproportionately affect very young, elderly, pregnant
women and persons with certain medical conditions
3. Influenza
• About half of hospitalizations and 90% of influenza-
related deaths occur among persons >65 years
– Severe illness can occur in any age group
• Significant cost burden to the US economy - $10.3
billion in direct cost to the medical system annually
• Influenza vaccination primary means to prevent
illness and complications from influenza
Molinari et al 2007
4. Prevention
• Vaccine is the best form of protection
– Recommended for everyone > 6 months
– Safe and effective
– Does not cause “the flu”
• Vaccine supply, US
– Doses manufactured: 145 million
– Doses distributed: 128 million
6. Additional Prevention Measures
• Wash your hands often with soap and
water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if
soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Don't share cups, straws or anything that goes in
the mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and
sneeze, and promptly discard used facial tissues
• If you are sick, stay home.
7. Influenza 2012-13 Season, US
• Influenza activity increased early (December)
• Predominant strain was influenza A (H3N2)
– Typically associated with more severe seasons
• Seniors disproportionately affected
– Hospitalizations: 50% among persons 65 years and older
– Deaths: 80% among persons 65 years and older
• Over 45 pediatric deaths reported
– Unvaccinated: ~80%
8. Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Hospitalizations,
US, October 1- January 26,2013
140
120
65+ yrs
100
Cases per 100,000
80
60
40
0-4 yrs
50-64 yrs
20
18-49 yrs
5-17 yrs
0
6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May
Week Ending Date
9.
10. Number of Reported Influenza-Associated ICU Hospitalizations
for Current Season and Previous Season, Chicago
40
N=159
2011-2012
35
2012-2013
30
25
20
N=63
15
10
5
0
6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May
Week Ending Date
11. Percent of ED Visits Attributed to ILI, Chicago, by Week for
Current Influenza Season and Previous Two Seasons
10
9
8
7.6%
2012-2013
7 6.1%
2010-2011 5.5%
6
2011-2012
5
4
3
2
1
0
6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May
Week Ending Date
12. Percent of Outpatient Visits Attributed to ILI (ILINet), Chicago, by Week
for Current Influenza Season and Previous Two Seasons
10
9
7.4% 7.2%
8
2012-2013
2011-2012
7
6
4.4%
5
2010-2011
4
3
2
1
0
6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May
Week Ending Date
13. Influenza Testing Results Reported by Chicago Laboratories
Performing Influenza Testing by RT-PCR
Influenza Season
Laboratory Results 2011-2012 2012-2013
# Specimens Tested* 2,642 7,709
# Specimens Positive 16 1,302
Positive for Influenza A 13 1,262
Subtype H3N2 7 1,014
Subtype 2009 H1N1 2 78
Not Subtyped 4 170
Positive for Influenza B 3 40
*Seven Chicago laboratories performing influenza subtyping that have consistently
reported results for both seasons.
15. Assuring Access to Vaccine
• Illinois law (2012) allows pharmacists to administer influenza vaccine to
children > 10 years
• Influenza vaccine clinic map “app”
– Enter address to find a nearby clinic
– Code shared with Boston and Philadelphia to create their version of the app
• Vaccine distribution
– Vaccines for Children Providers: > 235,000
– Federally Qualified Health Centers: > 27,010
• Walk-in vaccination clinics (Sept-Dec 2012)
– Vaccinated > 11,400
• Fasttrack Immunization Clinics/CareVan
– Vaccinated >20-60/site/day
16. Aldermanic Office
Influenza Vaccine Clinics
• CDPH coordinated sites: 47
– October 1 – December 8, 2012
– Number vaccinated: 5,294
• Vaccine purchase supported through
Corporate Budget
– $442,000 annually
17. Increasing Public Awareness
• “Vote Healthy” Campaign
– October and November
• Vaccinate Chicago Week (December 2 – 8, 2012)
– Traditional media (Sun Times, Tribune, radio) and social
media (Facebook, Twitter)
– Partnered with Illinois AAP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, and
Chicago Area Immunization campaign to communicate to
providers and organize community outreach initiatives
– CDPH, Walgreens and U of C administered > 17,000 flu
vaccines
20. What Can You Do?
• Set an example – Get Vaccinated!
• Stay informed
– www.cityofchicago.org/health; click on ‘influenza’
– Email brian.richardson@cityofchicago.org to receive
regular updates on CDPH community events and public
information
• Share influenza disease and prevention information
with your constituents
• Host influenza vaccine clinics
