(July 29, 2009) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today to make recommendations for use of vaccine against novel influenza A (H1N1). 

The committee met to develop recommendations on who should receive vaccine against novel influenza A (H1N1) when it becomes available, and to determine which groups of the population should be prioritized if the vaccine is initially available in extremely limited quantities.

The committee recommended the vaccination efforts focus on five key populations. Vaccination efforts are designed to help reduce the impact and spread of novel H1N1. The key populations include those who are at higher risk of disease or complications, those who are likely to come in contact with novel H1N1, and those who could infect young infants. When vaccine is first available, the committee recommended that programs and providers try to vaccinate:

--pregnant women.
--people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
--health care and emergency 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 novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

The groups listed above total approximately 159 million people in the United States.

The committee does not expect that there will be a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is some possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. In this setting, the committee recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others:

pregnant women,
--people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
--health care and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact,
--children 6 months through 4 years of age, and
--children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.

The committee recognized the need to assess supply and demand issues at the local level. The committee further recommended that once the demand for vaccine for these prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65.

The committee also stressed that people over the age of 65 receive the seasonal vaccine as soon as it is available. Even if novel H1N1 vaccine is initially only available in limited quantities, supply and availability will continue, so the committee stressed that programs and providers continue to vaccinate unimmunized patients and not keep vaccine in reserve for later administration of the second dose.

The novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect people.  Seasonal flu and novel H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day.

University of Colorado Denver expands preparations for H1N1 flu threat

(July 17, 2009) Emergency preparedness activities escalated this week at the University of Colorado Denver as confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu were reported in nearby communities.

Formal response preparations actually began at UC Denver in the spring when this illness was reported around the globe. To date, there are no known and confirmed cases among students, faculty or staff at a UC Denver location.

Officials were encouraged by the July 16 announcements of $5 million in federal funds to assist Colorado with H1N1 influenza planning and that
H1N1 vaccinations likely will be available for large portion of the state’s population. UC Denver emergency preparedness personnel continue to closely monitor all developments related to this threat and await the availability of a vaccine.

At this stage, we all are reminded how important it is for each individual to take precautions advocated by health authorities. Because this illness is thought to spread mainly person-to-person individuals should:

• Wash hands frequently and properly
• Cover your sneezes and coughs
• Avoid others with respiratory illnesses
• Stay at home if you are sick

World Health Organization escalates flu-threat level

(June 11, 2009) The World Health Organization (WHO) today issued a Phase 6 alert related to the current H1N1 flu outbreak but nothing has changed in the United States in terms of the Obama Administration’s response.

The goal of health officiails since the outbreak began has been to try and stay one step ahead of this unpredictable virus and do the planning and preparation necessary to keep Americans safe and secure.

We have been implementing our pandemic response plan for the past few weeks in the United States, delivering anti-virals to the states, beginning the work necessary to produce a vaccine, working with state and local officials on community mitigation strategies, and monitoring and tracking the virus around the country.

Today's change in the WHO pandemic alert level to phase 6, will have little impact on our response in the United States. From the beginning, we have assumed an aggressive public health approach to this outbreak.

Although the virus continues to spread to other countries, the disease continues to be a mild one for the most part.  Health Officials are not seeing significant changes in the virus in samples from various countries.

The WHO pandemic phase designation is based on geographic spread of the influenza virus, not on the severity of the illness.

Today’s WHO announcement should be an alert to countries in the southern hemisphere that the virus is likely present and health authorities should heighten their surveillance activities and review their pandemic plans.
 
Here in the U.S., we are working across the government to be prepared for what happens in the fall with H1N1 when the traditional flu season starts. We are preparing to have a vaccine tested and ready to go should the science determine we need to begin an immunization campaign.

Flu vaccine study seeks participants

(June 4, 2009)The University of Colorado Denver is conducting a research study of an investigational influenza vaccine. If you would like to learn more, and meet the following requirements:

--age 18 - 45 years old,
--in generally good health, and
--were NOT diagnosed with flu in 2009,

please call Nancy Lang, RN, (303)724-2454.