Many Michigan kids get 1st dose of H1N1 vaccine, but thousands still need 2nd dose

While supply for the swine flu vaccine has largely caught up to demand within Michigan, thousands of kids who received the first dosage of the vaccine still need a second dose.

So the state health department is planning to mail out more than 175,000 letters to parents reminding them it's not too late to get the second H1N1 flu vaccine shot, the Detroit News reported.

Children younger than 10 needed to return for a later booster shot at least a month after the first shot for the vaccine to work effectively. Late last year, many providers were refusing to offer the second booster shot until more children had the chance to get their first dose of vaccine.

Flu activity both statewide and within Washtenaw County has declined from peak levels last fall. But the Washtenaw County health department says reported cases continue to trickle in, including a few hospitalization caused by the illness.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.