CDC Update on Flu and the H1N1 Vaccine

by Anthony Fiore, MD, MPH , medical epidemiologist for the Influenza Division of the CDC.



The world's first flu pandemic in more than 40 years has made it more important than ever to get accurate information about influenza - and the vaccines that can protect you against flu.

As of October 2, when CDC released its latest flu surveillance report, more than half the U.S. was reporting widespread flu activity for seven consecutive weeks, putting the country well into "flu season" during a time of year when flu activity is normally just beginning.

Influenza is unpredictable and this flu season could be worse because of the H1N1 virus. While seasonal flu tends to take the greatest toll on people 65 and older, this new virus is causing a greater burden of disease on people younger than 25.

The good news is that beginning October 5, the first doses of H1N1 vaccine began arriving in some locations around the country - with much more vaccine on the way. And millions of doses of seasonal vaccine have already been distributed.

CDC has recommendations on who should get vaccinated against seasonal flu and H1N1 flu.

Those recommended for seasonal flu vaccination:

• Anyone 6 months or older can get vaccinated
• Young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older
• It's also important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from making them sick
• Babies younger than 6 months old can't get vaccinated for seasonal or H1N1 influenza, so it's especially important for people in contact with these infants to get vaccinated

The recommendations for vaccinating people against H1N1 are a little different. The overall goal is to offer vaccine to everyone, and to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible, since the virus is already circulating in many communities.

However, during the first few weeks of availability, there won't be enough vaccine for everyone, so we need to focus on certain groups at higher risk, including

• Pregnant women and people 6 months through 24 years of age
• People 25 through 64 years of age with an underlying chronic medical condition
• Health care and emergency medical service providers should also be vaccinated to protect themselves and their patients

You can get vaccinated with either a flu shot (for people 6 months and older) or a nasal spray vaccine (for healthy people 2 years through 49 years of age who are not pregnant).
It's important to realize that influenza vaccine cannot give you the flu. The injected flu shot contains inactivated (killed) viruses, and the nasal spray contains attenuated (weakened) viruses and cannot cause flu illness.

Both H1N1 and seasonal flu are thought to spread mostly from person to person through the coughs and sneezes of people who are already sick. You can also get sick by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your eyes, mouth or nose. Make sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often with soap and water. It's also smart to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

For more information please visit www.flu.gov or call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO.