Seasonal Flu and H1N1 update
September 18, 2009
There are 2 different “flu” shots that will be needed this year. One is for the familiar seasonal flu that we have been vaccinated against for many years. This traditional flu continues to be a threat to health, particularly in the elderly and other high risk populations. The other is the H1N1 flu that is also referred to as “swine flu”. This is of higher risk to pregnant women and the those under age 24. The vaccine for this is completely different than the seasonal flu shot and you will need BOTH shots to have the best chance of protection. Some versions of the H1N1 vaccine actually require 2 vaccinations to give full immunity so in some people, this means a total of 3 shots during this coming flu season.
Because there will not be enough vaccine for everyone to get both immunizations immediately, the vaccination program will be done in stages. EVERYONE WILL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO GET BOTH IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. The vaccines will be given out based on which populations are at highest risk of dying if they develop severe forms of the disease.
As of September 18, 2009, the following is the recommendation for the state of Massachusetts and will be followed in Gloucester.
Seasonal flu shot.
1.There are currently about 50% of the anticipated doses available. The rest will be available in approximately 4-6 weeks.
2.The following groups are at highest risk of having a bad outcome from a seasonal flu infection and will be targeted to get the seasonal vaccine first:
a.Those over age 65
b.Those with chronic medical problems such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease,etc
c.Health care workers
3.Once the high risk groups have been vaccinated, the next group to be vaccinated will be school children and, lastly, the general population
4.There will be 2 seasonal flu vaccination clinics offered in Gloucester:
a.October 8 – Rose Baker Senior Center 8 am to 1 pm
b.October 15 – Fuller School 9 am to noon
5.You are encouraged to get your flu vaccination from other sources such as your primary care physician, local pharmacies that are holding flu vaccinating opportunities, etc.
H1N1 flu shot.
1.This will be available approximately mid-October
2.The median age of infection is 14 years. The elderly seem to have greater immunity to this form of the flu and will therefore NOT be in the first wave of vaccinations
3.The following groups are at highest risk of having a bad outcome from an H1N1 flu infection and will be target to get the H1N1 vaccine first:
a.Pregnant women
b.Household contacts and care-givers for those less than 6 months of age
c.Health-care providers
d.Those in the 6 month to 24 year age group
e.Those age 25-64 who have other medical problems that put them at high risk
4.Once the high risk groups have been vaccinated, the next group to be vaccinated will be the elderly and the general population.
NOTE:
There is NO mandatory requirement for vaccination
Everyone that wants them will have both vaccines available to them but it will take some time
Anti-virals (antibiotics) are NOT recommended unless person is hospitalized
Routine testing of anyone with symptoms is NOT recommended