To the Editor: Kelly showed that the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza epidemic experience in Victoria was similar, overall, to a moderately severe influenza season.1 As with seasonal influenza, 0–4 year olds had the highest hospital admission rates,2,3 with those in the first year of life most likely to be admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).
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- Infectious Diseases Unit and Microbiology Department, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT.
Correspondence: Peter.Collignon@act.gov.au
- 1. Kelly HA. A pandemic response to a disease of predominantly seasonal intensity. Med J Aust 2010; 192: 81–83. <MJA full text>
- 2. New South Wales public health network. Progression and impact of the first winter wave of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza in New South Wales, Australia. Euro Surveill 2009; 14 (42): pii=19365. http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19365 (accessed Jan 2010)
- 3. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Australian influenza surveillance summary report no. 24, 2009, Reporting period: 17 October 2009 – 23 October 2009. Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing, 2009: 1-6. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/ozflu2009.htm/$File/ozflu-no24-2009.pdf (accessed Feb 2010).
- 4. Greenberg ME, Lai MH, Hartel GF, et al. Response after one dose of a monovalent influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine — preliminary report. N Engl J Med 2009; 361: 1-10.
- 5. Hildebrand J. Swine flu vaccination recommend as thousands at risk. Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 2009; 14 Jul, 10:24 pm. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-act/swine-flu-vaccination-recommend-as-thousands-at-risk/story-e6freuzi-1225750003411 (accessed Feb 2010).
- 6. Collignon P. Pandemic influenza: inappropriate fear causes inappropriate responses. In healthcare we need good surveillance data to make the best decisions. Healthcare Infect 2009; 14: 77-79. http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=HI09021.pdf (accessed Feb 2010).
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