Flu PreventionNational Influenza Vaccination WeekJanuary 10-16, 2010
Since 2009 H1N1 disease is likely to continue into the new year, NIVW will be an important opportunity to maintain or increase the uptake of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination at a time when demand for vaccine usually drops significantly. Influenza is unpredictable and we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of H1N1 influenza, but we do know that the more people who are vaccinated, the less likely disease will spread in the coming months. One of the many goals for NIVW is to engage at-risk audiences who are not yet vaccinated, hesitant about vaccination, or unsure about where to get vaccinated. Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. People who should be vaccinated each year include those who are age 50 or older, pregnant women, children aged 6 months through 18 years of age, and adults and children with chronic health conditions such asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, or heart or kidney disease, and people living in nursing facilities. These persons are recommended to get vaccinated because they are at higher risk for getting the flu or having flu complications. Those who live with or care for these groups should also receive vaccine. Its especially important for family members and caregivers of infants younger than six months old to get vaccinated, because these infants are too young to receive the flu vaccine. If you have ever had the flu, you know it can knock you out—with members of your family, friends, and co-workers not far behind. This season, flu may pack more of a punch than usual because of the novel H1N1 influenza virus. Many people will not have immunity to this new virus and there could be more people sick, hospitalized, and dying from flu-related illness this season than during a regular flu season. For this reason, it’s more important than ever to get your facts straight about flu—and the vaccines available to prevent flu. While novel H1N1 influenza is likely to be the most common flu virus this season, the CDC expects that regular seasonal flu viruses will cause illness as well and recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza. A separate vaccine has been made to protect against novel H1N1 influenza. The novel H1N1 influenza vaccine is produced in the same way as seasonal flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that the following groups should get vaccinated with both vaccines this season.
"People who do not get vaccinated are taking two risks: they are placing themselves at risk for the flu, including a potentially long and serious illness, and second, if they get sick, they are also placing their close contacts at risk for influenza," says Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC’s Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. "Flu can be especially serious for babies, young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions, and seniors, who are at high risk of flu‐related complications or death. Influenza—whether seasonal or novel H1N1 influenza —is not a disease to be taken lightly." For more information on novel H1N1 influenza, visit www.flu.gov, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, or www.MyFluSafety.com. |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of January 10-16, 2010, as