Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In some areas, the
seasonal flu vaccine may be available as early as August. CDC hopes that people will get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available at their doctors' offices and in their communities.
The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against novel H1N1 flu. However, a novel
H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. The novel H1N1 vaccine is not meant to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used along with the seasonal flu vaccine to protect people.
CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on July 29, 2009 to make recommendations on who should receive the novel H1N1 influenza (flu) vaccine when it becomes available. The Committee recommended that initial vaccination efforts focus on 5 key groups:
* All people 6 months through 24 years of age;
* People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;
* All pregnant women;
* Healthcare and emergency services personnel; and
* People 25 through 64 years of age who have health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the flu.
If vaccine is in short supply, the initial priority groups would include:
* Pregnant women;
* People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;
* Healthcare and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact;
* Children 6 months through 4 years of age; and
* Children 5 through 15 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
CDC doesn't expect there will be a shortage (limited supply) of novel H1N1 vaccine. But, flu vaccine availability and demand can be hard to predict. There's a small chance that, at first, the vaccine will be available in limited amounts. But, even if there is a shortage of vaccine at first, the vaccine will continue to be supplied. So, once the demand for H1N1 vaccine for the recommended groups has been met at the local level, other people can get vaccinated.
For more information about the novel H1N1 flu, please visit the CDC websites:
Novel H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htmNovel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htmKey Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htmInfluenza
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/What To Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htmPlease do not hesitate to call 1-800-CDC-INFO, e-mail cdcinfo@cdc.gov or visit
http://www.cdc.gov if you have any additional questions.
CDC-INFO is a service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). This service is provided by Vangent, Inc. under contract to CDC and ATSDR.
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