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
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