Dr Greg Hoeksema HSA Medical Director

The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) is urging Cayman’s population to get vaccinated ahead of the possible advent of a serious outbreak in the flu season, which usually occurs during the colder months of the year.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) expects both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to cause illness, hospital stays and deaths this season.

The CDC has reported widespread increase in the number of H1N1 flu cases throughout the United States in the past couple of weeks. The level of flu activity has never before been seen this early in the season, and laboratory testing confirms that almost all cases are the H1N1 virus, not the regular seasonal flu viruses.

As a result, there is expected to be more serious illness, more hospitalisations and more deaths than normally occur during the flu season. In fact, there have already been more paediatric deaths from H1N1 flu than is usually seen in the entire flu season in the US.

HSA Medical Director, Dr Greg Hoeksema, says a similar pattern is expected in the Cayman Islands, particularly among the most vulnerable groups, when the viruses are expected to increase their activity during the colder months of December and January.

Therefore, the HSA is encouraging all residents to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect their health. The regular seasonal flu vaccine is already available and the H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive within the next couple weeks.

Dr Hoeksema said the timing, spread and severity of the upcoming flu season are unpredictable.

“We do know that the H1N1 virus is still circulating in the Cayman Islands. Fortunately, the majority of patients continue to do well with just home care and isolation, however a very small number of patients get a severe, rapidly progressive illness,” Dr Hoeksema noted.

He shares the concern of the CDC of the likelihood of more hospitalisations and deaths this season than during a normal flu season.

“Flu vaccine is by far the single best protection against getting the flu,” he said.

The regular flu vaccine is available at the General Practice Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital, Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac and all District Health Centres, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The flu vaccine is free to all residents and no appointments are necessary.

Persons at high risk for complications from seasonal influenza and those who live with or care for high-risk persons are particularly encouraged to get the vaccine. This group includes:

• Young children 6 months to four years of age
  
• Pregnant women
  
• People 65 years of age and older
  
• Persons of any age with weakened immune systems and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart, kidney and lung diseases and diabetes.
  
• People living in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

To minimise workplace disruption and ensure that as many persons as possible get vaccinated, the HSA has implemented a workplace vaccination programme for companies with ten or more employees wishing to have the vaccine. Companies interested in the programme should contact the Public Health Department at 244-2648 to register.

Dr Hoeksema emphasised that the seasonal influenza vaccine provides the best protection available from seasonal flu – even when the vaccine does not closely match circulating flu strains. Vaccination can lessen illness severity and flu-related complications.

HSA’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Kiran Kumar, said that the HSA has requested enough vaccine to cover a population of 55,000 people, and that a shipment is expected from the UK in mid-November.

The vaccine will provide immunisation for Cayman’s most vulnerable groups against an anticipated second attack of the virus this year.

“We will first administer the vaccine to pregnant women, heart patients, kidney patients, lung patients and healthcare workers. Healthcare workers are on the front line and are taking care of the sick and are thus more exposed,” Dr Kumar explained.