H1N1 Influenza Information

By Dr Guy Spinelli, President

H1N1 Vaccination Information

Granite Medical is always working together with you to keep you healthy. We share your concern about the novel H1N1 flu virus – commonly referred to as swine flu or just H1N1. And we thank you for working together with us to help control the current outbreak. Currently H1N1 infection is being seen in greater numbers around the country. So it is important to discuss ways to stop the spread of it. Infection control measures – such as covering your cough and good hand washing with soap and water – are very important. But one of the best ways to decrease the spread of the flu is though vaccination programs.

The Centers for Disease Control, also known as the CDC, is the federal agency that gives guidance to healthcare professionals about H1N1. The CDC and the FDA have determined that the H1N1 vaccine is safe and effective. I want to stress that the H1N1 vaccine is produced in the same way as the yearly seasonal flu vaccine by the same companies. In fact, had the H1N1 flu broken out sooner, these companies might have been able to place the H1N1 in the seasonal flu vaccine. But due to time constraints, there are now two vaccines – the H1N1 and what is commonly referred to as the seasonal flu vaccine. Again, I want to emphasize that the H1N1 vaccine is as safe and effective as the seasonal flu vaccine.

The CDC has recommended that following people be vaccinated first when the H1N1 flu vaccine becomes available:

These groups listed above total approximately 159 million people in the United States.

The CDC does not expect that there will be a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is some possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. In this setting, the CDC has recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others:

The CDC further recommended that once the demand for vaccine for these prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. In fact, only a very small percent of the cases of H1N1 infection was seen in people over age 65. Clearly there is some natural protection for these seniors. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers may offer vaccination to people over the age of 65.

The CDC also stressed that people over the age of 65 receive the seasonal vaccine as soon as it is available. The CDC also indicated how important it was to get pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination as well.

The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect people. Seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day as availability permits.

Please continue to visit the Granite Medical web site for more information about the H1N1 and for links to very useful information about flu symptoms, who should see the doctor and who should be vaccinated. And as always, Granite Medical is here… working together for your good health!

H1N1 Flu Links

2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

What to Do If You Get Sick: 2009
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

Guide for Parents
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/print.htm#parent

Caring for a Sick Person in your Home
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm

Home Care Guidance: Physician Directions to Patient/Parent
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare_directions.htm

Posted September 25, 2009