A Dose of Good News:
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccine Coming Early This Fall
Some time has passed since we first saw the 2009 cases of H1N1 Influenza (previously called Swine Flu) in the US. Since then, there has been much discussion regarding how to prevent the flu in general and, more specifically, how to avoid the novel H1N1 flu.
We now have a dose of good news.
On September 15, the US Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved 4 vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus. The companies that produced the vaccines (CSL Limited, MedImmune LLC, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostic Limited and Sanofi Pasteur, Inc) have all produced safe vaccines over the past years for seasonal flu.
More than 3 million doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available in limited quantities by mid-October. However, the majority of these doses will be in the form of the nasal spray FluMist. It’s important to note that FluMist is not recommended for all people. Children under 2, pregnant women, people over 50 or those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease or chronic medical problems should not use FluMist.
The nasal spray contains a weakened live virus, while the typical injection-type shot contains killed virus. There is a small risk with the spray that the virus will multiply too quickly in people with compromised immunity. So, it’s not recommended for everyone.
The injectable H1N1 flu vaccine will also be available in early October, however how much is not known at this time.
H1N1 flu cases are rapidly increasing across the county. The majority of all recently reported flu cases are in fact H1N1, not seasonal flu. With this said, it’s very important to understand the differences between the two and how to protect yourself from both.
What’s the difference between Seasonal Flu and H1N1 (Swine) Flu?
Influenza: it’s not just another cold! Influenza strikes about 15% of the population each year. (That’s 45 million people in the U.S. alone). It makes younger people miserable and older people very ill. In fact, influenza causes over 150,000 hospitalizations and more than 30,000 deaths each year in the U.S – mostly in people older than 65 – at a cost of over 14 billion dollars annually. The seasonal flu lasts from October until May.
H1N1 is even more serious because it’s new and unpredictable. It is a viral infection caused by the Influenza A. The H1N1 flu that is seen in the news is a combination of Swine Flu, Avian Influenza, and Human Influenza. The combination is of concern because it has not been seen before and very few individuals have immunity to the disease.
If I received the vaccine for seasonal flu am I protected against H1N1 flu?
No. In order to protect yourself against both strands of flu, you will need vaccinations against both. The seasonal flu vaccine will be available on schedule like in past years, in sufficient supplies for those who want the flu shot.
The seasonal flu vaccine prevents influenza nine times out of ten, and attenuates it (makes it milder) the rest of the time. It reduces days lost from work by 50%. There are very few reasons why people older than age 6 months should not get flu vaccine.
Who will get the H1N1 flu shot first if it’s in limited supply?
The H1N1 flu vaccine will be available in limited quantities for specific populations in October at the earliest. H1N1 flu seems to be more dangerous for children and young adults. So, these populations (along with some others) are targeted for H1N1 flu vaccination. These include:
- Pregnant women
- Those who care for or live with children younger than 6 months of age
- Healthcare and emergency services personnel
- People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
- People between ages 25 and 64 years who are at a higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
How many shots do I need when getting vaccinated against H1N1 flu?
According to ongoing clinical trials, it is believed that one H1N1 immunization is able to confer robust antibody response 8-15 days after immunization in the adult population. In children, according to recent results, kids who are between 10 and 17 years old will only need one shot of the H1N1 flu vaccine as well. It is thought that young children will need 2 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, similar to the seasonal flu vaccine, to help their less-developed immune systems develop antibodies to the flu.
How do I prevent both H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu?
The best way to avoid both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu is to observe basic hygiene habits, such as:
- Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap, and use alcohol based hand sanitizer between washings.
- Keep your hands away from your face and avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes as much as possible.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve. Dispose of tissues promptly and wash your hands.
- Keep frequently touches common surfaces clean (such as phones and keyboards). Try not to use others’ work tools (such as pens).
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, giving attention to getting adequate rest, proper diet, and moderate amounts of exercise and relaxation to help maintain physical and emotional health.
- Remember: Get both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine when available. One vaccine does not protect you against both types of flu!
What other precautions can I take in case the flu season is worse this year or more prolonged than a “normal” flu season? What are the sympoms of H1N1 (swine) flu?
You can:
- Think ahead: if your children are sick or the school needs to be closed due to a widespread illness, do you have a contingency plan?
- If you become sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home. Symptoms for both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu include:
- Fever 100 degrees or higher
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Shortness of breath
- Myalgia (body aches)
- Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea
You can resume normal activities, such as work or school, after you have been fever free (without the benefit of fever reducer medications) for at least 24 hours. If you become ill while at work, let your manager know immediately so that you may be separated from other workers while you prepare to go home.
- Know the danger signs—In some cases, the H1N1 flu or seasonal flu will progress to more serious disease. If progression occurs, it can be rapid. So, watch for these more serious symptoms if you have the flu:
- Shortness of breath, either during physical activity or while resting
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish hue to skin
- Bloody or colored sputum
- Chest pain
- Altered mental status
- High fever that persists beyond 3 days
- Low blood pressure
If you experience any of the above signs or symptoms IMMEDIATELY contact your doctor or proceed to the nearest emergency room. In children, danger signs include fast or difficulty breathing, lack of alertness, difficulty in waking up, and little of no desire to play.
It’s important to stay up to date about the flu, both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. Visit www.communitycare.com for updates on the H1N1 flu vaccine.
For More H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information, Please Click Here
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