Who Needs Two Flu Shots This Year?

Most People Who Usually Get a Seasonal Flu Shot Will Need to Return

Sep 25, 2009

Most people who usually get a seasonal flu shot will need to return later for their Swine Flu shot. Vaccination distribution will be expedited to target groups.

With the approach of Fall, it is time once again to get the precautionary flu shot. The Swine Flu has been with us since last spring, but until now, there was no vaccine. On September 11, 2009 Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases, NIH, announced that, “The early data from these [early clinical trials of 2009] trials indicate that 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines are well tolerated and induce a strong immune response in most healthy adults when administered in a single unadjuvanted 15-microgram dose." ("News Release," http://www.hhs.gov)

Regular Seasonal Flu Vaccines are Still Recommended

Most people who regularly get a flu shot in September or October are encouraged to do so again this year. The influenza virus still poses the same risks as it has in previous years. This shot scheduled for this fall, however, will not provide protection against the Swine Flu (H1N1 influenza).

Initial H1N1 Vaccinations will be Given to “At Risk” Target Groups

The initial batch of the H1N1 vaccine will not be available to the public until mid October, according to an article, “Where Will You Get Your H1N1 Vaccine? Information Remains Unclear.” by Marrecca Fiore, written for Fox News, Friday, August 28, 2009. The Center for Disease Control lists the groups most at risk who will be given the first availability to this vaccine. These include pregnant women, people who are in close contact and care for infants under 6 months of age, and emergency and health care providers. Next in priority are ages 6 months through 24 years and people from ages 25 through 64 with chronic health disorders and/or compromised

Clinical trials for pregnant women, which has been found to be one of the most vulnerable target groups, began September 9, 2009. (“NIAID Launches 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Trial in Pregnant Women,” NIH News, Sept 9, 2009, http://www.niaid.nih.gov) The hospitalization rate for H1N1 infections in pregnant women during the first month of the H1N1 outbreak was estimated to be approximately four times that of the general population. “The design of this trial in pregnant women is patterned after clinical trials that opened in August through NIAID’s VTEU network.“ For more information on these trials see the National Institutes of Health website in this reference.

The next most vulnerable to the H1N1 virus have been infants and children to date, and this target group will probably be among those offered the first release of vaccinations as they become available to the public.

Those least at risk are those over 25 years of age that have no health conditions adversely effecting the immune system.

More detailed information can be found at the NIAID Web site and from the Center for Disease Control.

Enough Vaccine is Being Manufactured, But Will It Be Ready In Time?

The CDC recommends that, “Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should also begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years.” And although current studies still show that persons 65 years of age and older have the least risk of infection, the CDC advises that “once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older." ("H1n1 Flu," http://www.cdc.gov)

According to Jennifer Corbett Dooren, writing for theWall Street Journal, “U.S. government officials have said that about 40 to 50 million vaccine doses will be available starting in mid-October and be distributed to each state's health department. (Jennifer Corbett Dooren at jennifer.corbett-dooren@dowjones.coml September 12, 2009), 20 million more doses are expected to be prepared each week after mid October until 195 million is reached. Because the is no precedent it is Still not possible to predict whether enough of the vaccine will be available for all who need protection in the earlier months of this Fall. Hopefully, the current pace of infection will remain calm, or better yet, wane.

The copyright of the article Who Needs Two Flu Shots This Year? in Public Healthcare Issues is owned by Yana Marshall. Permission to republish Who Needs Two Flu Shots This Year? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.