eInsights - October 2009

CDC Issues Updated Vaccination Recommendations for Swine Flu

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’s 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.

Some Flu Myths and Realities

“The federal government is running a mandatory vaccination campaign.”
The federal government’s vaccination program for H1N1 flu is VOLUNTARY. Some hospitals and localities are requiring that health care workers get vaccinated for the flu, but that is a local decision. HHS and the CDC have included health care workers as one of our top priority groups to receive the vaccine, and several places across the country began offering H1N1 vaccination to health care workers this week.

The petition on a few selected internet sites protesting the federal government’s “mandatory” vaccination campaign is simply false in its claims. Vaccination is highly recommended as a protective measure against the flu, but is absolutely voluntary.

“It costs too much money to get an H1N1 vaccine.”

The federal government has purchased the H1N1 vaccine and is providing it to the states free of charge.  This is different in many places from the seasonal flu vaccine.

Public vaccination clinics (sponsored by local health departments at schools or other places) will offer vaccine at no charge.  Some private providers may charge a small fee to administer the vaccine, but cost should not be a barrier to getting immunized.  Many, many people and businesses have stepped up to the public health challenge we all face and are working together for the overall public good to make this vaccine free – or at least affordable – for all those who want it.
Important links

• For more information on Flu Myths and Realities
• For more information on H1N1 visit the CDC.
• If you are interested in receiving mobile updates from the CDC on H1N1 and other topics, log onto www.cdc.gov/mobile.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a three-month text messaging campaign pilot to share important, timely health information. Users can sign up to have important CDC information about H1N1 flu and other topics delivered directly to their mobile phone. Subscribers will receive about three short health tips per week during the pilot. For more information about the pilot, please visit www.cdc.gov/mobile.

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