MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Seasonal Influenza and Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women — 10 States, 2009–10 Influenza Season

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

In 2009, a novel strain of influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified, and pregnant women were found to be at greater risk for influenza-related complications from this new virus. As a result, during the 2009–10 influenza season, two separate influenza vaccines were recommended: inactivated trivalent 2009–10 seasonal vaccine and influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine. To estimate influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women during the 2009–10 influenza season, CDC analyzed data from 10 states from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS). Data show that the median vaccination coverage for pregnant women among the 10 states combined was 50.7 percent (range: 36.6 percent–68.3 percent) for seasonal influenza from September 1st 2009 to March 12th, 2010, and it was 46.6 percent (range: 26.9 percent–72.4 percent) for 2009 H1N1 from October 1st 2009 to March 12th, 2010. Women to whom vaccination was offered or recommended by their health-care provider were significantly more likely to report being vaccinated against seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1. Our findings indicate that in 2009-10, some states were able to achieve higher levels of influenza immunization among pregnant women than has been measured in the past. Continuing to measure state-level influenza vaccine coverage of pregnant women and continuing to build on these gains can prevent influenza disease and its consequences among pregnant women and infants each year.

2. Suicides in National Parks — United States, 2003–2009

CDC Injury Center Media Relations
(770) 488-4902

Suicide is a serious preventable public health problem in the United States. In 2007, 34,598 suicides occurred in the US. While 77 percent of suicides occur in the home, less is known about suicides in public places, especially in national parks. Between January 2003 and December 2009, 84 parks reported 286 cases of suicide or attempted suicide; an average of 41 events per year. Of those, 194 (68 percent) were suicides and 92 were attempted suicides; no evidence of a stable trend was identified. Among 194 suicides, 83 percent were among males. Based on findings in this report and strategies proven effective for suicide prevention, two main approaches are recommended to help prevent suicides in national parks: strategies in which parks collaborate with community prevention programs to gain increased access to resources, guidance, and training and site-specific suicidal behavior interventions, such barriers or restrictions to access. Although the total number of suicides in National Parks from 2003 through 2009 is small, each death represents a tragic and preventable event in a public place with immeasurable losses to family members, friends and society.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES