Colorado is preparing for the delivery of an initial 53,800 doses of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. The first doses are expected to arrive in the state this week, and are part of two million doses being distributed nationally,
according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Yet fears about the safety of the vaccine, questions about its availability – and concerns about the virus, itself, still linger. Many Coloradans remain unclear about who should get the vaccine, when – and how.
We turned to a spokesperson at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to help us nail down the key things you need to know to keep you and your family safe and healthy.
Could the H1N1 vaccine cause any kind of extreme reaction? Are there some for whom the vaccine could be dangerous?
The CDC expects that any side effects following vaccination with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine would be rare. People with a severe (life-threatening) allergy to chicken eggs or to any other substance in the vaccine should consult with their health care provider before being vaccinated.
Do children need more than one H1N1 vaccination?
According to CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for children 10 and older. Check with your pediatrician for more information about the dosage for children under 10.
If I decide to go the vaccination route, should I get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu vaccine?
Yes. The H1N1 vaccination would have been included in the seasonal flu vaccine had it been identified earlier in the vaccine manufacturing cycle. The seasonal flu vaccine helps to prevent several flu viruses that have been identified as the most prevalent. The H1N1 vaccination is just for one virus.
Does it matter how closely together the two different flu vaccinations are given?
It depends. Most people could get the two vaccinations at the same doctor's visit. The CDC advises the health care provider to give the shot in different arms though. With the nasal spray (FluMist) vaccine, CDC advises that two nasal spray flu vaccines should not be given at the same time.
Where do I go to get the shot?
The seasonal flu vaccine is available many places, including most doctor's offices, and in many grocery and drug stores. (Visit immunizecolorado.com to find a site.)
The flu that is circulating right now is the 2009 H1N1 flu. The first delivery for this vaccine should arrive in Colorado later this week.
When the H1N1 flu vaccine becomes available to everyone, it is expected that you will be able to go to the usual places to get your vaccination, among those doctors' offices, grocery and drug stores and community health clinics.
The vaccine itself is free. The health professionals who give the vaccinations can charge what is called an "administration fee."
Since there is such a limited amount in the first H1N1 vaccine delivery, and it's only the nasal spray vaccine, Colorado officials first are going to vaccinate health care workers who have direct patient contact. We expect additional shipments to come in regularly, perhaps even beginning next week. After we get more vaccine, and not just the nasal spray, the other high-risk groups will get the vaccine next [see list below].
The seasonal flu usually peaks much later in the winter – in December or even January. There recently has been a delay in getting the seasonal flu vaccine out so some people may find that their doctor doesn't have it right now. More than 60 percent of the vaccine ordered has been delivered, however, so a lot people already have gotten it. Luckily we are not seeing seasonal flu viruses yet so we still have time to get people this vaccine.
Priority groups include:
- pregnant women
- household contacts and caregivers of children under 6 months
- children between 6 months and 4 years
- children between 5 and 18 years of age with underlying risk conditions
As these groups are the most susceptible, it helps protect everyone when these people avoid getting sick. The CDC has identified a second round of high-risk people, too, so that as more vaccine arrives, we can include emergency medical services, all children and young adults to age 24, and adults with underlying risk conditions.
After these high-risk people are vaccinated, there should be enough vaccine for anyone else who wants it.
Will there be a shortage of the vaccine?
The CDC reports that there should be no shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, but vaccine availability and demand can be unpredictable, and there is some possibility that, initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities.
Where can I find answers to other questions related to the H1N1 vaccine and additional information?
Flu.gov provides comprehensive government-wide information on pandemic influenza and avian influenza
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers general information about H1N1 and publishes key findings
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers localized information about the flu and the vaccine
What are your thoughts on the H1N1 vaccine, and what questions do you have? I'm new to Rocky Mountain PBS, and would love to hear from you!
-Carolyn Spellman, Rocky Mountain PBS
Check out
rmpbs.org/health for real-life health care stories, blogs and resources.
