As schools began holding influenza vaccination clinics last week, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that doses of the H1N1 vaccine remain in limited supply. Because of the shortage, the school clinics for H1N1 vaccination have initially targeted school age children and public clinics are only open to those people in high-risk categories.

On Friday, the Maine CDC reported a young adult in Penobscot County had died, the second death linked to H1N1 influenza in Maine, and the first since August. The person, between the ages of 18 -25, had serious underlying medical conditions, noted Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine CDC.

“While most people with H1N1 in Maine and the nation have had a relatively mild infection, this news demonstrates how severe influenza can be, especially in those with underlying conditions, pregnant women and children,” Mills said.

Mills added the young person, who died earlier last week, was at home and was not attending a college or university. As children and young adults are among those in the high-risk category, school officials are working to keep information on flu prevention, cases confirmed and scheduled vaccination clinics updated.

Two University of Maine at Farmington students have been confirmed by the state’s Center for Disease Control laboratory as having the H1N1 influenza.

A third student has notified the university of another confirmed case and two more cases are pending culture results for confirmation from the state’s lab, according to Celeste Branham, vice president for Student and Community Services at UMF.

“Now we’re treating everyone with influenza-like symptoms that it’s likely to be H1N1,” she said. As of last week, eight more students arrived at the UMF health center complaining of flu-like symptoms that include fever, sore throat, general and/or joint-specific aches and possibly a cough.

One of UMF students confirmed with the strain of H1N1 flu has gone home to recover and the second lives off campus and is staying at home. Anyone coming down with the flu is urged not to go to class or work on campus, and keep themselves isolated from the general population. 

Students living in dormitories are encouraged to recover at home but if that’s not possible, dorm rooms have been set aside for those who are sick. If those become filled, Branham said healthy roommates will be moved out so students can self-isolate themselves while they get better. Meals will be delivered to rooms so the ill student can stay away from others.

The state requests that cultures be sent from colleges and universities until three cases have been confirmed at each institution, after which all cases of flu reported are to be considered the H1N1 variety of flu. Branham said they’re close enough to meet that standard. 

As a member of the University System Crisis Management team, Branham said they have been in constant communication with other colleges to share ideas on facing outbreaks. Once the number of cases reaches 100 at any one campus, it’s no long considered an outbreak, but an epidemic. Which is what Bates College, currently reporting 266 flu cases, is facing now. The University of Maine at Orono has reported two cases to have been confirmed for H1N1.

Last week, 100 doses of the H1N1 vaccine was given to UMF students considered at high risk, such as those with asthma, chronic auto-immune disorders, pulmonary conditions or diabetes. Branham hopes for more vaccine this week but noted the limited supply reported across the state as well as nationwide.

“We’re trying to negotiate additional doses but will probably have to wait until next week or later,” she said. In the meantime, the university is asking everyone on campus to be especially vigilant with hand washing, keeping a distance of six feet from those who are sick and coughing or sneezing into sleeves, not hands.

Mt. Blue Regional School District received 1,000 doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine and began holding clinics after school last week, with about 500 students getting vaccinated at Academy Hill School, Cape Cod Hill School and Cascade Brook School, said Superintendent Michael Cormier today. This week, Mt. Blue Middle School and Mt. Blue High School students can receive the vaccination during school hours.

Most schools in the district are offering both the H1N1 vaccine and the nasal spray for seasonal flu protection but those with asthma are advised to go to their doctors for the seasonal flu shot. Cormier said the effort to get students vaccinated quickly and efficiently is thanks to the many volunteer nurses, doctors and the help of NorthStar Emergency Medical Service crews who are on hand during the clinic sessions in case of an unexpected allergic reaction or some other medical situation arises.

With 2,300 students in the district and 1,000 doses available for the first sessions, Cormier has put in another order for more, just in case, he said.

“We’re please with the turnout,” Cormier said, “and we hope to get ahead of it.”

MSAD 58 will be giving the last of its 550 vaccinations today to its kindergarten through 12th grade students. Jay schools completed its clinics last week and Rangeley Lakes Regional School is holding a clinic Friday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.