From Sept. 28 through Nov. 30, United Way’s 2-1-1 service responded to 4,987 calls for H1N1 flu information and referral. That was about 11 percent of the 42,447 calls for H1N1 information handled by the 2-1-1 network in Texas during that nine-week period.

Medical specialists accessed through the 2-1-1 system received an additional 22,447 calls for more detailed medical guidance, bringing the total number of H1N1 calls statewide to almost 65,000.

2-1-1 is providing H1N1 flu information to the general public and professional staff such as health care workers and school officials as a part of the Texas Information and Referral Network.

United Way’s 2-1-1 professionals talk to as many as 1,000 callers a day, helping them find any available source of assistance for issues ranging from child care and housing to food, health services and transportation.