Two pregnant women die of H1N1 in N.C.

Raleigh, N.C. — Two pregnant women have died from H1N1 in North Carolina, Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Renee McCoy said Monday. The first death was reported in June and the other in October.

Neither of them had received the H1N1 vaccine, McCoy said. The babies of both women survived.

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It was unclear where in the state the women lived. The state does not provide a breakdown of flu deaths by county, McCoy said.

Pregnant women are considered priority, at-risk groups for the H1N1 vaccine. Other at-risk groups are those who live with or care for children 6 months or younger, health care workers, people aged 6 months through 24 years, and people with chronic health problems or compromised immune systems.

On Sept. 27, the state reported that 33 people had died from the flu this year. Of those, two were children. Those deaths could have been from any strain of the flu, although H1N1 is the dominant strain at this time.

Individuals in the priority groups who wish to receive a H1N1 vaccine should contact their health care providers or their local health departments to find out about vaccine availability.

Health officials recommend getting vaccinated for both the seasonal flu and H1N1.

Those most at risk for getting the seasonal flu are people 65 and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women and children under 18.