FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CDC Issues Updated Vaccination Recommendations
For Swine Flu
Washington, D.C. – Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the type A /H1N1 influenza virus. Normally, people do not get swine flu, but human infections can happen. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of some chronic medical conditions. According to the Spina Bifida Association Professional Advisory Council, unless one has a weakened respiratory or immune system, people with Spina Bifida run no greater risk contracting the virus.
Swine flu can go from exposure to infection within one to four days, so prevention is the key to battling such a fast-acting virus. All individuals, including people living with Spina Bifida, can take the following simple steps to avoid germs, including swine flu:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water-or use sanitizing gels when hand washing is not available-to remove germs and prevent germs from spreading.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Seek medical care if you experience fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and fatigue.
- Get the H1N1 influenza vaccine if you are in one of the recommended groups.
The groups recommended to receive the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine include:
- Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
- Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
CDC does not expect that there will be a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but flu vaccine availability and demand can be unpredictable and there is some possibility that initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. For more information visit CDC.
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) has prepared quick resources to Web sites on H1N1, seasonal flu, vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics. The document is available here.
The Spina Bifida Association is the nation’s only national voluntary health agency dedicated to serving the needs of the Spina Bifida Community. Its programs give hope and strength to more than 250,000 people whose lives are touched by this disabling birth defect. One of the SBA’s most vital functions is to communicate to the 65 million women of childbearing age the importance of daily folic acid intake to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida. For more information, visit www.spinabifidaassociation.org or call 800-621-3141.
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