What is the latest update on the Novel H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine?
Vaccine for the H1N1 Influenza is available in limited supply. As of November 13, 2009, 4,389,700 doses of H1N1 Influenza vaccine have been shipped to California. The Orange County Healthcare Agency reports that as of November 13, approximately 340,000 doses of vaccine have been shipped to providers in Orange County - less than 20% of what is needed to meet the needs of the estimated 1.6 million residents that are in the five CDC target groups. Their distribution plan is as follows:
The Health Care Agency is providing vaccine to community health care providers (particularly hospitals, obstetricians and pediatricians) to the CDC priority populations (outlined below).
The Agency is providing an appointment-only clinic for pregnant women and is establishing additional vaccination opportunities for children with underlying health conditions.
School-based vaccination clinics are being supported for children with underlying health conditions.
Additional clinics and strategies will be employed when additional vaccine is available.
Until sufficient supplies of vaccine arrive to provide vaccinations to all who want it, the CDC recommends the following target groups be prioritized to receive vaccine:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
- healthcare and emergency medical services personnel,
- persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and
- people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza complications because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
Nasal spray H1N1 influenza vaccinations are available for healthy children 2 years to 9 years old, and healthy people younger than 49 years old who are care givers for children younger than 6 months of age. Children 2 to 9 years of age will need two doses of vaccine at least 28 days apart to develop sufficient immunity to the virus.
Where can I go for a seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine?
We recommend checking the Orange County Public Healthcare Agency's flu clinic locator ( please click here.) See also the links listed at the bottom of this page. Please check back for updates, as this information has been changing on a daily basis.
Pregnant women who are residents of Orange County can receive an H1N1 flu shot in the Healthcare Ageny's clinics. No doctor's referral is required and the vaccination is free. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 1-800-564-8448.
At St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group as of November 13, H1N1 vaccines are available for their currently established patients. Quantities are limited, so patients should call 714-628-3230 during regular office hours for an appointment. For more information please visit the St. Joseph Heritage website by clicking here.
What about the seasonal flu vaccine - will it protect against the H1N1 Swine flu?
No. However, health experts are urging the community to protect themselves from the flu and its potential complications by obtaining both seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations.
Can the seasonal vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?
Yes, when both vaccines are available.
How widespread and serious is the current outbreak of new influenza A (H1N1) swine flu?
The 2009 influenza pandemic has spread internationally with unprecedented speed. Further spread of the virus is considered inevitable. Findings reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) confirm that the overwhelming majority of persons worldwide infected with H1N1 continue to experience influenza-like illness, with full recovery within a week, even without medical treatment. In a small portion of patients have rapidly developed severe, progressive pneumonia.
The CDC reported on November 17 that between August 30 and November 14 there have been 26,315 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 1,049 deaths. The California Department of Public Health reports 6,069 H1N1-related hospitalizations and 318 deaths as of November 14. Since April and as of November 16, the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHA) reports that in Orange County there have been 35 fatal cases of swine flu. Most of these fatalities had underlying medical conditions that placed them at higher risk for severe illness and complications.
What should I do if I or my family gets sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your healthcare provider, particularly if you are worried about you or your family’s symptoms. Your healthcare provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
According to WHO, the swine flu has been characterized, to date, by the mildness of symptoms in the overwhelming majority of patients, who usually recover, even without medical treatment, within a week of the onset of symptoms.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Although vaccination is the most effective way to protect against swine flu, it is not yet available. The Centers for Disase Control (CDC) anticipates that by mid to late October the vaccine will be available to priority groups (pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age; healthcare and emergency medical personnel; persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years; and people ages 25 to 64 who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems).
Take these everyday steps to protect your health against the H1N1 and other strains of influenza:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Will H1N1 affect my travel plans?
Click here for a link to the CDC's flu and travel website.
Who should receive the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine?
The CDC recommends that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
When will the H1Ni flu vaccine be available for the initial target groups?
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the very near future. Please check back for specific dates as that information becomes available.
When will vaccine be available for those who aren’t in the initial target groups?
According to the CDC, the availability of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine will depend on several factors, including the total number of people recommended for initial doses in this area, the quantity of vaccine available and local demand for vaccine. Once the demand for vaccine for the initial target groups has been met at the local level, providers have been advised to begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years, followed by vaccination of people 65 years and older. It is expected that vaccine supply should increase quickly in late October and early November.
Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu?
No, it is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
How important will influenza A(H1N1) vaccines be for reducing pandemic disease?
Vaccines are one of the most valuable ways to protect people during influenza epidemics and pandemics. Other measures include anti-viral drugs, social distancing and personal hygiene. Health officials expect H1N1 vaccine to be available this fall. For more details from the CDC, please click here.
Can the seasonal flu vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?
The CDC anticipates that seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day. However, you can expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.
Frequently Asked Questions about Antiviral Drugs from the CDC
What are antiviral drugs?
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu in your body. While CDC recommends flu vaccine as the first and most important step in preventing flu, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense against the flu. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter and are different from antibiotics. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your doctor or health care provider.
What antiviral drugs are recommended this flu season?
There are two antiviral drugs recommended by CDC this season. The brand names for these are Tamiflu® and Relenza® (The generic names for these drugs are oseltamivir and zanamivir). Tamiflu® is available as a pill or liquid and Relenza® is a powder that is inhaled.
Who should take antiviral drugs?
It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat flu in people who are very sick (for example people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications. Other people may also be treated with antiviral drugs by their doctor this season. Most healthy people with flu, however, do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs.
What are the benefits of antiviral drugs?
When used for treatment, these drugs can make you feel better and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They can also prevent serious flu complications.
When should antiviral drugs be taken for treatment?
Studies have shown that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment if they are started within 2 days of getting sick. There may still be benefit in treating people with antiviral drugs even after two days have gone by, especially if the sick person has a greater change of serious flu complications or if the person has certain symptoms (such as shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, dizziness, or confusion) or is in the hospital because of the flu.
Where can I find more information?