Officials say third wave of H1N1 virus possible

APPLETON - It may not feel like flu season anymore, but health officials say the H1N1 pandemic may be far from over.

Supply of the vaccine is high, and officials want to prevent spread while they can.

"The best prevention is to get vaccinated and now,” said Tom Veeser, Chief Nursing Officer at Affinity Health System. “Why wait until we have another outbreak."

The Centers for Disease Control is monitoring the virus in the southeast. Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina have seen a return of the virus. Those states are seeing more of the virus now than just a few weeks ago. While the Wisconsin Department of Health has not seen an increase in cases here in the state, Appleton health officer Kurt Eggebrecht says the cases in the southeast could be a sign of things to come.

"The fact that we still have sporadic cases however, occurring in our state and across the country gives us continued reason to be concerned," said Eggebrecht.

Officials say if there is a new wave of the virus, it could be worse than the previous two.

"There could be multiple waves after the pandemic,” said Veeser. “There's fourth and fifth and sixth and sometimes more waves. Typically the most severe are the second and third waves.

However, Eggebrecht also says the rate of vaccination in the southeast is lower than in Wisconsin, where about one out of every four people got the vaccine. Eggebrecht says next year's seasonal flu vaccine will also protect against H1N1, should the virus continue to lurk.

“There's enough concern that this could continue that that's one of the components that will be in next year's season influenza vaccine," said Eggebrecht.

Officials say the more people vaccinated, the easier it is for the virus to burn itself out.

Officials say it's important for children under age ten to get a booster vaccine. If you're not sure if your child had a booster shot, you can call your local health department.