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30 minutesupdated 09/7/2010 7:01 pm
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Health Topics - Influenza Vaccines |
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(Updated 10/24/2009)
Due to the spread of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) and the resulting flu epidemic that continued into the summer months here in Nebraska, there has been debate in the health care community as well as the CDC as to whether or not there will be a severe flu outbreak this year. As there has been increasing concern, two different flu vaccines are in production and will be available for both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu as well.
People need to understand that the seasonal flu vaccine is a separate vaccine from H1N1 flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccine comes in both an injection and a nasal spray. The nasal spray is used in people ages 24 months to 50 years of age. The seasonal flu vaccine for injection can be used in people ages 6 months through adult life. There have been national shortages of both. It is unlikely we will receive any more seasonal flu vaccine nasal spray and will intermittently get flu shots for patients.
Currently due to the concern about the flu epidemic, the Health Department is recommending that people be vaccinated for seasonal flu as soon as possible.
H1N1 Vaccine is a separate vaccination. It will be available in late November 2009. It will be tightly distributed by the government to local health departments and then to private clinics. The vaccine will possibly be given in two separate injections one month apart but the final recommendations are pending. Distribution of the vaccine will be very specific to high risk groups which includes the following (in order of risk group):
· Pregnant Women
· People who care for children under the age of 6 months
· Health care workers
· Children ages 6 months to 4 years of age and children 5 years to 18 years old
· Adults ages 18 – 64 years old.
There are studies at this time that indicate people over age 65 are actually not at risk of serious disease from the swine flu. Although they are at risk for complications of seasonal flu, they appear to have adequate protection to H1N1 flu.
