Hawaii ranks 8th for flu, H1N1 vaccinations
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i ranked eighth in the nation last year for seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations, state health officials announced today on the anniversary of the Island's first confirmed "swine flu" cases.
Health workers vaccinated more than 71,000 students and 9,700 teachers alone in 342 public, private and charter schools, Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said today.
As a percentage of Hawai'i's population, the number of seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations placed Hawai'i eighth highest in the country — behind Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.
The next flu season is expected to hit the Islands in October and the new vaccinations include immunization against H1N1.