Child Deaths From H1N1 Tie Regular Flu Average Deaths

A total of 76 American children have died from the H1N1 Swine Flu virus. That is the same as the average number of children who die during a full season of the regular flu virus.

19 children died last week; a five year old from Texas and a 14 year old from Illinois were among the victims. The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that El Paso has had 7 deaths from the Swine Flu as of October 3. No word on how many of those were children. 9 people have died from the H1N1 strain in New Mexico.

A top U.S. health official says the risks from not getting the swine flu vaccine are greater than any potential risks associated with the vaccine.

Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says she’s surprised by all the misinformation going around about the new vaccine. She says a good safety record from past vaccines bodes well for the swine flu vaccine now becoming available.

Schuchat says there’s no problem associated with getting shots for both the swine flu and seasonal flu on the same day. But health officials recommend a three-week period between receiving the nasal versions of the vaccines.

Schuchat says vaccines remain the best way to protect children and adults from both strains of flu.

El Paso public clinics should receive their allotments of vaccines in the coming weeks; private doctors and clinics will have access to the vaccines in the following weeks.

Written for kvia.com by Anchor/Reporter Stephanie Valle andthe Associated Press