The H1N1 flu (swine flu) have been identified in people in the United States and internationally. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to address the challenges posed by the H1N1 flu outbreak.

H1N1 Vaccine Information

Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has issued guidelines regarding the use of vaccine against infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The guidelines are intended to provide healthcare providers and the public with information about the population groups who are recommended to be first to receive influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine.

The licensed H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October 2009.

The CDC says that all individuals who are currently recommended for seasonal influenza vaccine should receive it as soon as it is available. This includes those older than 65 years of age. People 65 and older are not in a target group recommended to get the earliest doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. This is because people age 65 and older are least likely to get sick with the 2009 H1N1 virus. However, people 65 and older can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as soon as the high risk and younger groups have had the opportunity to be vaccinated.

Population groups that should be targeted as an initial focus of vaccination efforts include:

• Persons aged 25 to 64 years who are at greater risk for influenza-related complications because of underlying medical conditions
• Pregnant women, household contacts or caregivers for infants younger than 6 months
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Children and young adults 6 months to 24 years of age.

The medical conditions increasing risk for influenza-related complications include

• Hematologic, renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders, including diabetes
• Immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus
• Chronic pulmonary conditions, including asthma
• Cardiovascular conditions except for hypertension.

Inactivated vaccines against seasonal and H1N1 viruses may be administered simultaneously using different injection sites on the body.

Other Ways to Help Prevent Flu

Although any type of flu can be worrisome, there are steps you can take, to help prevent infection both for yourself and the people around you.

Here are suggestions from Bart Kamen, M.D., Ph.D., LLS chief medical officer:

• Contact your primary care doctor and oncologist to see if an antiviral drug is recommended for you.
• If you have symptoms of the H1N1 flu, your doctor will need to get a respiratory swab for testing. H1N1 flu symptoms are similar to other flu symptoms and may include cough, sore throat, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea. It takes a lab test to distinguish the H1N1 flu virus from other types of flu or other conditions.
• Avoid contact with people who have the H1N1 flu; this flu and other types of flu are thought to spread mainly by person-to-person contact. The CDC recommends that people who are coughing and sneezing stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow general public health advice about avoiding crowds.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away right after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you do not have access to soap and water use alcohol-based hands cleaners; these are also effective.
• Reduce the spread of germs by avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 
• As a precaution, store a supply of food, medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

For Kids: The Handwashing Experiment

We encourage you to call the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572 if you have any questions or email at infocenter@LLS.org.

Please check this page for updates. You may also want to visit the CDC Web site.