Prevent Swine Flu in Babies Under 6 Months Old

Strategy for Avoiding H1N1 Virus Infection in Infants Without Shots

Nov 8, 2009

Since infants under six months are at risk, but cannot be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus according to the CDC, other ways to prevent swine flu in babies must be used.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not approved any swine flu vaccines for infants under the age of six months. Infants are, however, vulnerable to H1N1 infection due to an immature immune system. In order to prevent swine flu in babies without vaccination, it is necessary to resort to more creative methods, such as creating a safe "bubble" around the infant by avoiding sick people and immunizing caregivers.

Avoiding People Who Are Sick

Keeping an infant away from obviously sick people is not enough to prevent a swine flu infection. Many people are carrying the H1N1 virus without knowing it or showing any symptoms. In order to avoid the H1N1 virus, very young infants should be kept away from anyone who might be carrying the flu virus. Anyone who is going to touch the baby should wash their hands thoroughly, and use care to avoid sneezing anywhere in the vicinity of the infant.

Swine Flu Vaccination for Caregivers

The CDC recommends swine flu vaccination for caregivers of an infant, to ensure that illness will not break out close to the baby. While the CDC suggests vaccination for breastfeeding mothers, the manufacturers of the various formulations of swine flu vaccine do not recommend this. The CDC bases their recommendation on historical influenza immunization data. The manufacturers, without concrete up-to-date testing data on the current formulation of Novel A (H1N1) influenza, are reluctant to recommend it to breastfeeding women.

H1N1 Vaccination During Pregnancy

In an attempt to proactively protect the infant, the CDC also recommends that pregnant women receive H1N1 vaccinations, stating that the immunization will also protect the fetus after birth. As with breastfeeding mothers, the CDC bases this recommendation on historical test results, due to a lack of long-term H1N1 vaccine testing on pregnant women. Manufacturers of the swine flu vaccine do not recommend their product for pregnant women due to this lack of current testing.

Sick People in the Home

When there is a sick person in the home with an infant, it is important to keep that individual away from the baby as much as possible. A sick child or adult should stay in another room and avoid contact with the baby in order to prevent swine flu infection. If the sick individual is the baby's primary caregiver, it is still possible to prevent infection. Wearing a protective mask and washing hands frequently reduce the chances of passing germs to the baby.

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