Who Should Get the Swine Flu Vaccine?
People Most at Risk for Getting and Spreading H1N1 Influenza
Many people are wondering if they should get the swine flu vaccine. Here is information about who is considered most at risk when it comes to this new virus and who will be considered a priority group for getting the swine flu vaccination. Also read about who is not recommended to get this 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.
US Government Buys Vaccine for Majority of Population
About 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine have been bought by the U.S. with the goal that anyone who wants the vaccine may receive it. Production of the vaccine is going as fast as possible, but there will likely be limited supplies to start with. Due to this fact, there are target groups that are recommended to get the vaccine first.
Who Should Get the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine?
An advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention met in the summer of 2009 to decide who should be on the top of the list for getting vaccinated against H1N1 flu. The CDC recommends that people who are at higher risk for the swine flu or related complications and those who are more at risk of coming in contact with and spreading the virus should get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Babies that are under six months of age are too young to get the vaccine, so the CDC also recommends people in close contact with this age group should also be first to be vaccinated.
Five Priority Groups for Swine Flu Vaccine
There are five groups that are seen as having priority for the vaccine and they make up about 159 million people in the U.S. The following groups are considered most at risk:
- Women who are pregnant
- Anyone who lives with or cares for infants six months old or younger. This includes parents, siblings and daycare staff
- Workers in the field of health care and emergency medical care
- Young people from the age of six months to 24 years of age
- People aged 24 to 64 with medical conditions that could lead to flu-related complications (e.g., have asthma or diabetes)
Availability of H1N1 Flu Vaccine
The amount of swine flu vaccine available at the beginning will be small, although a shortage is not anticipated. Quantities and availability of the vaccine can vary from community to community, and in extreme situations, people listed in the target group will be further prioritized based on CDC recommendations.
People 65 and Older Last on H1N1 Flu Vaccine Target List
Once priority groups have been able to receive the H1N1 vaccine, then people from the ages of 25 to 64 will be the next target group. The latest studies on this virus suggest that people who are 65 and older are less likely to get the swine flu. But once younger age groups have been vaccinated, those who are 65 and older will be offered the vaccination.
Who Should Not Get the Swine Flu Vaccine Shot?
Some people might not be able to have the H1N1 swine flu vaccine due to allergies and their state of health. The following people are not recommended to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and should consult with their doctor:
- People with a serious allergy to chicken eggs
- People with severe allergies to any other ingredient in the vaccine
- Anyone who has had a severe reaction to a seasonal flu vaccination in the past
- Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Babies who are younger than six months old
- Anyone with a moderate-to-severe illness that includes a fever
Who Should Not Get the H1N1 Flu Vaccine Via the Nasal Spray?
The above noted list of people who should not get the swine flu vaccine shot, should also not get the nasal spray version. As well, the following people noted below should not get the swine flu vaccine that uses a nasal sprayer:
- Children younger than two years old
- People older than 50 years old
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
- People with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease
- People with metabolic conditions like diabetes, asthma, anemia and other blood disorders
- Children younger than five years old who have asthma or any episodes of wheezing during the past year
- People with muscle or nerve disorders that are linked to breathing or swallowing problems (e.g. cerebral palsy)
- People who have close contact with someone with an extremely weakened immune system (e.g. patient in a protected environment, like a bone marrow transplant unit)
- Children to teens who are on a long-term aspirin treatment
As well, anyone with concerns about whether they should have this new vaccine should speak with their doctor.
For more information check out Swine Flu Facts, Swine Flu Vaccine in the US and Swine Flu Study Finds Women Could be More at Risk.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine, Oct. 16, 2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The 2009 H1N1 “Flu Shot”, Oct. 2, 2009.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The 2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine, Oct. 2, 2009.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine, Oct. 7, 2009.
US Food and Drug Administration, FDA Update on the H1N1 Flu Vaccine and Antiviral Medications, Fall 2009.
US Offering H1N1 Vaccine in Shot and Nasal Spray
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Pregnant Women Recommended to Get H1N1 Flu Vaccine
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Swine Flu Virus Can Live on Hard Surfaces
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Study Finds Women More at Risk of Severe H1N1 Flu
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Most People Have No Natural Immunity to Swine Flu
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