Distributed via Health Alert Network
Friday, January 08, 2010, 14:38 EST (2:38 PM EST)
CDCHAN-00305-2010-01-08-ADV-N
CDC Urges Continued Influenza Vaccination as
Supplies of 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Increase
National Influenza Vaccination Week
highlights importance of ongoing vaccination
Summary
The week of January 10-16 marks this flu season's National
Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), a national observance established to
highlight the importance of ongoing influenza vaccination beyond the fall. At
this time, providers are encouraged to continue vaccinating high risk persons
with the remaining supplies of seasonal vaccine and to expand 2009 H1N1
vaccination to anyone who wants it, regardless of age. Because supply and
availability of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine have increased dramatically, CDC is now
encouraging people who have been patiently waiting to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine
to get vaccinated as well as continuing to encourage unvaccinated people in
priority groups to get vaccinated. NIVW activities during the upcoming week
will seek to enhance public awareness about ongoing influenza vaccination
efforts. Influenza is unpredictable, but influenza is expected to continue for
months, caused by either 2009 H1N1 viruses or regular seasonal influenza
viruses.
As
of December 10, 2009, more than 110 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine
had been distributed. Since then, it is likely that the total estimated amount
of 114 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine have been distributed.
Demand for seasonal influenza vaccine has been very high this season. As a
result, supplies of seasonal vaccine are now limited. Providers are encouraged
to continue administering remaining supplies of seasonal vaccine.
As of January 7, 2010, the
cumulative pro rata allocation is approximately 136 million doses of 2009 H1N1
vaccine. As of January 5, 2010, approximately 111 million
doses have been shipped, so supplies of 2009 H1N1 vaccine available to be
administered are ample. Although the 2009 H1N1 vaccine was initially
prioritized to certain target groups, due to the increase in supply most
jurisdictions are now making vaccine available for everyone who wishes to
receive it.
As
of mid-November, an estimated 47 million Americans have had 2009 H1N1 influenza,
with approximately 213,000 hospitalizations and 9,820 deaths. There is no way
to accurately predict the course of influenza epidemics. Although influenza
activity has declined in recent weeks, many persons remain unprotected, and
additional cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are expected to occur this
season. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect against 2009 H1N1
influenza. Those who have yet to be vaccinated are encouraged to get vaccinated
now. This includes people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and
others in the initial target groups, as well as people who were asked to wait to
be vaccinated when 2009 H1N1 vaccine supplies were limited.
Among those who have
been waiting to get vaccine are people 65 years and older as well as people
25-64 who do not have a chronic medical condition. These groups are encouraged
to get vaccinated. While older people have been less likely to be infected with
the 2009 H1N1 virus compared to younger people, there have been severe
infections and deaths from 2009 H1N1 in every age group, including people 65
and older. Some outbreaks among older people living in long-term care facilities
also have been reported.
Vaccination with 2009
H1N1 vaccine continues to be particularly important for people in the initial
target groups, including pregnant women; household contacts and caregivers of
infants younger than six months of age; health care and emergency medical
services personnel; all individuals six months through 24 years of age; and
individuals 25 through 64 years of age who have medical conditions associated
with higher risk of complications from influenza. It is important for unvaccinated people in
these groups to take advantage of the ample vaccine supply and get vaccinated
now.
This year's
national NIVW schedule is as follows:
Day |
Focus |
|---|---|
| Sunday, January 10 | Kickoff |
| Monday, January 11 | General audience and health care workers |
| Tuesday, January 12 | People with chronic health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious influenza-related complications |
| Wednesday, January 13 | Children, pregnant women, and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old |
| Thursday, January 14 | Young adults (19 through 24 years old) |
| Friday, January 15 | Seniors |
| Saturday, January 16 | Wrap-up |
For More Information:
- For a schedule of events and additional
information and links related to NIVW see: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/index.htm.
- NIVW posters, audio and video public service
announcements (PSAs), and other influenza educational materials are
available to download for local printing and distribution at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/index.htm. Other influenza-related tools
and information for health-care professionals and patients are available
at
http://www.flu.gov.
Categories of Health Alert messages:
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- Health Advisory - provides important information for a specific incident or situation; contains recommendations or actionable items to be performed by public health officials, laboratorians, and/or clinicians; may not require immediate action. Example: HAN00316
- Health Update - provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action. Example: HAN00309
- HAN InfoService - provides general public health information; unlikely to require immediate action. Example: HAN00319
##This message was distributed to state and local health officers, public information officers, epidemiologists, and HAN coordinators.##
- Page last reviewed: April 6, 2012 5:00 PM ET
- Page last updated: April 6, 2012 5:00 PM ET
- Content source: CDC Emergency Risk Communication Branch (ERCB), Division of Emergency Operations (DEO), Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR)
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