As the H1N1 pandemic has progressed, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has evaluated the vaccine readiness and guidelines for immunization. Because this is a rapidly developing area, Mercer recommends that you refer to the CDC’s site or to your local ministry of health’s website to see if the guidelines have changed. At the present time, we endorse these guidelines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all pregnant women be alert to the symptoms of H1N1 and seek treatment, if exposed, as quickly as possible. Treatment with the antiviral drug oseltamivir should be administered as soon as possible after symptom onset. As the benefits of oseltamivir are greatest when administered within 48 hours after symptom onset, clinicians should initiate treatment immediately and not wait for the results of laboratory tests. For more information, please go to the WHO site.

As of July 29, 2009, the CDC anticipates having an adequate supply of flu vaccine for the 2009 – 2010 seasons. CDC hopes that people will begin to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at their doctors’ offices and in their communities (this may be as early as August for some). The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against novel H1N1 influenza. 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 intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is meant to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine.

Who should receive the vaccine?

The groups recommended as priority recipients 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.

• Health care and emergency medical services personnel because infections mong health care workers have been reported and this can be a potential ource of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in his population could reduce healthcare system capacity.

• All children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen any cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact ith each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood f disease spread.

• All young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many ases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they ften live, work and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently obile population.

• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated ith higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has been met at the ocal level, programs and providers should also begin vaccinating everyone rom the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk or infection among persons aged 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has een met, programs and providers should offer vaccinations to people 65 or older.

More at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm