N.H. Student Dies From Swine Flu

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire health officials said Wednesday a child in the Pelham area has died from complications from swine flu, the third such death in the state.

Dr. Jose Montero, the state's public health director, declined Wednesday to release the child's gender or age. Montero also said an adult from Sullivan County died of flu complications last week. In August, a 22-year-old woman died of complications from the virus.

The people who died all had underlying medical conditions, Montero said. He urged residents in high-risk groups, particularly those with underlying conditions, to get vaccinated.

Montero announced the deaths in a conference call with reporters to discuss an expansion of the state's vaccination program.

He said New Hampshire has seen no signs of seasonal flu yet. Lab tests so far have only been positive for swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus. He said about 78,435 swine flu vaccine doses had been administered as of last week -- about half the vaccine received so far. New Hampshire expects to receive another 40,000 doses this week which would bring the total received to 210,000.

New Hampshire has broken the high-risk population into three groups and is making the swine flu vaccination available in steps to each group. Montero stressed the limited supply of vaccine is being given first to those with a higher risk of dying.

"More than half the New Hampshire population falls under one of the risk groups," he said. "It is our duty to try to protect them first."

In the first phase of its vaccination program, the state focused on high-risk children 6 months to 18 years old with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and emergency services workers. Vaccine remains available for them, but Montero said they will need to go through their doctor to get the shots.

"We are asking at-risk patients to make appointments to ensure there are adequate vaccine supplies available," he said.

Montero said the state is expanding its vaccination campaign to include a second high-risk group: people caring for or living with infants 6 months old, healthy children 6 months to 4 years old and people 18 to 24 years old with underlying medical conditions.

Montero said the expansion does not include occasional visitors to homes with infants, such as grandparents.

The state will hold flu clinics by appointment in the next few week for those over age 18. Information about the clinics will be posted on the state's web site Friday. Information also will be available by calling the state's public inquiry line between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by dialing 211 or 866-444-4211.

The clinics will be organized through local colleges. Montero estimated it will take several weeks to vaccinate the targeted group. He emphasized that the shots are free.

Montero said he expects the next phase to be completed in about three weeks. The third phase covers healthy kids and adults aged 25 to 64 with underlying conditions.

The vaccination program could be opened to the general public by late December or early January if vaccine is available, he said.

Montero did not rule out clinics at schools once the high-risk populations are vaccinated, but he said he could not say if or when vaccine would be available to make that possible.

New Hampshire has not held school clinics because there was no way to assure a fair distribution of limited vaccine, he said.