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H1N1 vaccinations: who will get them?
H1N1, formerly referred to as Swine flu, is taking
the world by storm. As people
worldwide brace for this new virus, many are fearful as to what the fall
flu season will hold. The
United States normally sees no flu cases during the summer months.
The H1N1 virus has shown that this is a virulent strain, causing
sickness even in summer. As
children head to school and summer comes to a close, many worry if the
H1N1 vaccination will be available should a widespread outbreak occur.
The current H1N1 vaccination is still in
production, and there is a possibility that it will be ready come this
autumn season. If it has
passed clinical trials and testing and is deemed safe, there is an order
of preference for receiving the vaccine.
When the Novel H1N1 vaccine becomes available pregnant women,
caregivers and households that care for children 6 months old and younger,
healthcare workers and emergency medical services personnel, children and
young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and people between
the ages of 25 and 64 who have health conditions that would pose a risk of
complications associated with the H1N1 virus will receive preferential
status for receiving the vaccine.
These recommendations are set in place in case the
vaccine is available in limited quantities.
There is a chance that there will be enough of the vaccine for
everyone; if this is the situation, the preferred status will not be
needed. If, however, there is
demand for the H1N1 vaccine, the preferred order will be the same as
listed above. Pregnant women
will receive the vaccine first, followed by those who live with or are
caregivers for children younger than 6 months old, health care and
emergency medical services personnel that have direct contact with
patients, children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years, followed by
children between the ages of 5 and 18. It is estimated that those on the
preferred list constitutes approximately 159 million people.
It’s important to realize that the H1N1 vaccine does not negate
or replace the need for receiving the seasonal flu vaccine.
Charisse Van Horn is a national Examiner. You
may view her column here: U.S.
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