3 Vital H1N1 Flu Shot Facts
Stopping Novel H1N1 Influenza A Vaccination Rumors about USA Clinics
Sep 29, 2009
Hundreds of millions of H1N1 flu shots are being manufactured by pharmaceutical companies around the world. Supply will be expected to meet demand for vaccinations in the 2009-10 H1N1 flu season, but not all the vaccine will be ready and available for everyone at the same time. Many questions can be simplified by finding these 3 vital answers:
FACT #1: Who Gets the Shot First? Last?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) said in the September 15, 2009 report that three main groups were at greatest risk for complications from the H1N1 influenza A virus: 1.) Pregnant women, 2.) Healthy young people age birth to age 24, and 3.) Adults age 14 to 65 with underlying medical conditions. To help keep supply and demand maintained at a steady pace, the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends distribution of the H1N1 vaccine to target groups spread out in the following order:
1st Group: Pregnant women, individuals living with children younger than 6 months old, children 6 months to young adults age 24, and health care and emergency service personnel with direct patient contact. Children under age 9, having not had the H1N1 vaccine before, may need a second H1N1 vaccine (booster) for full effectiveness, so parents and guardians should discuss this with a licensed physician when considering the H1N1 vaccine for their child.
2nd Group: After the 1st group has been vaccinated, and vaccine supply and demand are established, all individuals age 25 to 64 with underlying chronic medical conditions such as asthma, or at-risk autoimmune conditions such as those undergoing chemotherapy, and other medical concerns as recommended by a doctor, should be offered the opportunity to receive the H1N1 flu shot. Adults appear to only need one H1N1 vaccine for the 2009-10 season, according to the most recent CDC updates.
3rd Group:After the 1st and 2nd group have received vaccinations and the supply and demand of vaccinations are met, all individuals age 25 to 64 should be offered the opportunity to receive the H1N1 flu shot. Individuals age 65 and over appear to be less susceptible to the H1N1 flu virus than the younger age groups due to previous exposure(s).
4th Group:According to the CDC, risk of infection with the over age 64 group is considered minimal at this time. This age group will be opened to receive the vaccine after the three target groups receive the vaccine. The CDC recommendation may change as the flu season is reassessed.
FACT #2: What is the H1N1 Vaccine Recipe?
Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research at the World Health Organization (WHO), explained the recipe for the H1N1 Vaccine in the WHO’s September 2009 newsletter. She shared that over 90% of the H1N1 vaccines are inactivated vaccines, with the virus killed in order to produce the vaccine. The other 10% is live vaccination, made with weakened virus not killed. Both forms are made by injecting the virus into embryonic chicken eggs, collecting a few days later, and purifying.
The WHO has recommended an additive or adjuvant is put into the vaccine, which helps boost immunity and is used to kill the virus vaccine, but not all countries are using an additive. According to the September 15, 2009 report from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the United States is one of the countries which will not be using adjuvants in the vaccine. All countries are required, however, to keep strict records on the success of the various vaccine formulas they choose to use in this H1N1 influenza A pandemic.
FACT #3: Is the H1N1 Vaccine Safe?
Some H1N1 pandemic flu vaccines received in the United States will contain the preservative thimerosol, even though they will not contain adjuvants. The preservative is safe for most people. However, people who have had allergic reactions to contact lens solution may want to get the preservative-free H1N1 vaccine. Also, since the H1N1 vaccine is made with the help of embryonic chicken eggs, people who have had allergic reactions to eggs or egg products may not want to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
Each person’s health needs regarding the H1N1 vaccine and other issues are individual. The best source of information on the safety of the H1N1 vaccine is one’s own licensed health care provider. The CDC also recommends checking the regular updates at www.flu.gov.
For further reading on health issues by Lynn Pritchett see: Who is at Risk for Measles?, Online Resources about Health Care Reform, and also How to be Prepared for Food Allergy Emergency.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace consultation by a licensed health practitioner. All questions regarding the H1N1 influenza A virus and vaccination or any health and wellness issue should be taken to a licensed health provider in consultation and counsel in reference to each individual's specific medical history and conditions.
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