Health Officials Urge H1N1 Vaccine After New Outbreak

This week, health officials are raising concern as the Southeast part of the country is seeing an increased number of H1N1 cases. This is a "worrisome trend" with fears that it may be a sign that a third wave of the H1N1 flu outbreak may be on the horizon.

Each week since then, hospitals have reported at least 40 hospitalizations and no more than four deaths statewide, O'Neal says. "That doesn't sound like a lot," he says. "But we had dropped down to no hospitalizations at the end of December. Seeing 40 per week was a significant increase for us."

Most of those hospitalized have chronic illnesses, including diabetes, chronic lung disease and neurologic ailments. Pregnancy also raises a woman's risk of severe flu illness.

U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin urged people Monday to get vaccinated, especially those in high-risk groups. O'Neal said parents should take children younger than 9 for the full set of two shots.

View the full story at the USA Today here.  
To find the nearest location to get the H1N1 flu shot, visit FluShotLA.com.