Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) are information sheets produced by CDC that explain both the benefits and risks of a vaccine.
The CDC has just released the VIS forms for both the "Live, Intranasal 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine" (nasal mist) and the "Inactivated 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine" (injection).
Click the link below to the CDC website where you can download the H1N1 VIS forms.
According to the CDC's latest H1N1 weekly update, the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been shipped. The first doses will be in nasal spray form, safe for adults up to age 49 and for children two years and older. As of the time of this writing, they have not yet identified exactly where the vaccine has been shipped. Because only a limited amount has been shipped, they will first focus on vaccinating the priority groups.
H1N1 Priority Groups include: (NOTE: the nasal form of the vaccine is not recommended for all the priority groups listed below. Some will need to wait for the injection form of the vaccine)
The groups recommended to receive the 2009 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 younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
* Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
* All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
o Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
o Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
* Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
There is currently a petition circulating on a few internet sites protesting the federal government’s “mandatory” H1N1 vaccination program. Here’s a flu fact for you: the federal vaccination program for H1N1 flu is VOLUNTARY, just like the seasonal flu vaccination program. Top federal health officials highly recommend that people get vaccinated, and they stress that the vaccine is the best defense against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
People with underlying health conditions like asthma or diabetes, health care workers, pregnant women, caregivers for infants under six months of age, and children and young adults from six months to 24 years of age are especially encouraged to participate in this vaccination program. The vaccine will be available to anyone who wants it, and the decision to get vaccinated is up to each individual.
Note: In a few local jurisdictions, vaccination is being required for health care workers. That is a local decision, not a federal one.
source: flu.gov
The number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases continues to rise at college campuses across the US, and seasonal flu is looming close behind. So, the University of Central Florida, Centra Care, UCF Student Government Association and Get Healthy Florida have united to protect thousands of UCF students, staff & faculty members, and the surrounding community against the seasonal flu.
The first 500 adults (age 18 and older) and first 500 children (age 17 and younger) will receive their flu vaccination for FREE. Additionally,1,500 students of financial need will receive their shot for free. Thereafter, vaccines will be given at a deeply discounted rate of $10 for all students (student I.D. required) and $20 for everyone else.
Seasonal flu can pose great risks on its own, but Centra Care’s Scott Brady,MD says the danger escalates if you contract both Seasonal and H1N1 influenza viruses and strongly recommends an annual, seasonal flu shot, as well as the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. “BOTH Seasonal & H1N1 viruses will be around this Fall - and it’s very possible to be infected with BOTH at the same time. When this happens, your chances for complications greatly increases," says Dr.Brady.
WHERE: Inside UCF Arena
**Free Parking in Garages D & F; and, shuttle parking from Parking Lots E6 & E7
(see www.centracare.org for maps & directions)
WHEN: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
NOON – 7PM -- Flu shots are First Come, First Served, while supplies last
Additional Fast & Free Seasonal Flu Shot dates listed in previous posting. More dates to be announced soon.
Florida Hospital Centra Care and Get Healthy Florida are announcing the first 2 dates for their Fast & Free Flu Shot community events. Following CDC guidelines for an earlier than usual start to influenza vaccine administration, Centra Care and Get Healthy Florida will be offering thousands of fast & free seasonal flu shots in September.
The flu vaccine at these events is for SEASONAL INFLUENZA ONLY. The H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine WILL NOT be available at these event dates.
The single best way to avoid the flu is to get a flu shot. You can get your family vaccinated FREE this year at one of the following Fast & Free Flu Shot events:
2009 - Fast & Free Flu Shot Dates: (No reservations: First Come, First Served, while supplies last)
Wednesday, September 23rd -- 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Centra Care at Winter Garden Village
3005 Daniels Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Tuesday, September 29th -- 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Hunter’s Creek Centra Care
3293 Greenwald Way North, Kissimmee, FL 34741
There will be 2500 FREE Flu Shots given at each of these events. Shots in excess of 2500 will be available on these dates, at the event location for $20 each ($5 off the standard price).
Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu should get vaccinated; however, there are certain people who are at HIGH risk for Influenza complications, so it is especially important that they get vaccinated:
o Pregnant women
o Children 6 months to their 18 years old
o Adults> 50 years of age
o People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions: Heart, Lung, Kidney Disease
o Residents of long-term care facilities
o People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
-Household contacts of persons at high risk, and
-Household contacts & caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include:
o People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
o People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
o People who have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
o Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
o People who have a Fever
It can't be reiterated enough. With flu season just around the corner and the current threat of H1N1 (swine) flu, it is extremely important to practice frequent hand washing, and to avoid putting hands near anyone's face, or your own face without first having properly washed your hands. A quick rinse under the tap WON'T do the trick to rid yourself of viruses that may be on your hands. Here's a reminder on how to properly wash your hands:
Hand Washing How-To:
* Wet hands with warm, clean running water and apply soap.
* Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
* Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. (About the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday"
twice!)
* Rinse hands well under running water
* Dry hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use the paper towel to turn off the
faucet
If soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.
Here’s How:
* Apply product to the palm of one hand
* Rub hands together
* Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
Most parents like the idea of vaccinating children against swine flu at school, but they're not so eager to roll up their own sleeves.
Parents do seem to be listening to warnings that this novel flu strain strikes the young more often than the old, an Associated Press-GfK poll suggests. Nearly two-thirds said they were likely to give permission for their children to be inoculated at school - if the government's evolving plan to try that pans out - and 40 percent said very likely.
However, even as the government races to get enough swine flu vaccine for Americans in time for fall's expected rebound of the virus, only a third of people say they're very likely to get vaccinated themselves once shots arrive.
"I don't think I am going to die from the swine flu," says Seattle truck driver Luis Gonzalez, 40, who adds that neither he, his wife nor their three children ever have had a flu shot or caught influenza.
He's far from alone. The AP-GfK poll shows 56 percent of Americans aren't worried that they or their family will catch swine flu.
The complacency doesn't surprise flu experts. While swine flu still is spreading around the country - strange, since most influenza viruses can't hack summer's heat and humidity - it has killed relatively few, 300, of the more than a million Americans estimated to have been sickened.
"We're in a lull now," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institutes of Health's infectious diseases chief. "People really like vaccine when they see people getting sick. That's just human psychology."
It's another story for parents, perhaps rattled by last spring's swine flu-caused school closings.
"With kids at school, at a close proximity to each other, disease can spread quite easily," said Lance Griffin, 38, a Wichita, Kan., commodities broker and father of three. "Some people have died, obviously, from it. So if one of my kids were to (die) and I had the opportunity to get them vaccinated and I chose not to, I would feel very stupid. It's hard for a parent to live with that."
Get ready for a confusing fall: The regular winter flu is expected to make its usual rounds - infecting up to one in five Americans and killing 36,000 - at the same time swine flu spreads. But it will take two separate vaccinations to protect against both kinds.
"Don't forget the seasonal vaccine," pleaded Dr. Carol Baker of Baylor College of Medicine, who fumes that between 50 and 100 U.S. children die from regular influenza every year and "it seems the public doesn't care."
About 40 percent of Americans get an annual flu vaccine, and 30 percent of children do. The poll finds the population split on whether they or their children will go through that rite this fall.
Manufacturers aren't finished brewing and testing swine flu vaccine yet. Last week, the government's top vaccine advisers met to debate who's first in line once limited supplies start trickling out. Children between ages 6 months and 24 years made the list, along with pregnant women, health care and emergency services workers, people age 25 to 64 with chronic health disorders, and people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old.
A solid minority - a third of adults and just over one in four parents - opposes swine flu vaccination.
"Unless it is a mandate for school attendance, my children will not be (vaccinated) against any flu virus," said Rebecca Theismann, 38, a Rochester, Minn., special education teacher and mother of two. She views all flu vaccine as unnecessary except for the very young, elderly or people with weak immune systems.
Two-thirds of people are concerned the new vaccine might bring side effects. Regular flu vaccine is one of the world's safest inoculations and the swine flu shots are just a recipe change. But the last mass vaccination against swine flu, in 1976, was marred by reports of a rare paralyzing condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome, so scientists will carefully watch for any sign of problems.
Yet side-effect fears don't predict who will shun swine flu vaccine. Complacency is the chief predictor.
William Aeschbacher, 55, a recreation center owner in Industry, Pa., said he decided the virus was "really, you know, nothing to worry about that much." He thinks the vaccine should be targeted to children - he wants it for a 5-year-old he's helping care for - and said he'd consider it for himself only if it were very convenient: "It's just one of those things that I wouldn't go out of the way for."
Thanks for visiting the Get Healthy Florida Blog site. Our goal for the site is to be a local source of information regarding influenza, and specifically H1N1. Please come back often for updates or subscribe to the RSS feed to be alerted to updates.
Best Regards,
The Get Healthy Florida Team
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