General Flu Vaccine Information—Fall 2009 (Oct 19, 2009)

This year, because we have two types of influenza (flu) virus circulating, we will have two types of flu vaccine that is recommended, especially for persons who are at high risk for complications from the flu: 

• Seasonal flu vaccine
• H1N1 flu vaccine

Seasonal Flu Vaccine

This is the "regular" flu vaccine that is offered every Fall to protect against the circulating strains of seasonal flu. Seasonal flu vaccine is available for anyone who would like to get it. As vaccine manufacturers have focused efforts to quickly develop the H1N1 vaccine, there is a temporary shortage of seasonal flu vaccine. Additional seasonal vaccine is expected in November. The Student Health Center has already vaccinated 700 students. Check the Student Health Center website or the Emergency Alert website for updates.

Seasonal flu vaccine is available in both an injectable form (shot), and a nasal spray form.  Both are equally effective, though the nasal spray vaccine is approved only for healthy people age 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.  A single dose is required every year for adults.

Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for persons at high risk for complications of the flu, but can benefit anyone.  For more information on the seasonal flu vaccine, see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm .

Who SHOULD be vaccinated against seasonal flu: those with higher risk for complications, or in close contact with high-risk):

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, immune suppression, or other chronic illnesses)
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Who Should NOT be vaccinated:

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group)
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

H1N1 Flu Vaccine

The H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) vaccine is being developed in response to the pandemic strain of influenza that is circulating throughout the world, and is currently widespread in San Diego.  The seasonal flu vaccine will NOT protect against the H1N1 strain, so a separate vaccine is needed.  Adequate supplies of the H1N1 vaccine will hopefully be available for all who desire it, but the vaccine will be directed to high-risk individuals first. 

The H1N1 vaccine will likely be available in October or November of 2009. The vaccine may become available in stages, with highest-priority persons receiving the first available vaccine.  Most of the H1N1 vaccine will be in the injectable form, though a small amount of nasal vaccine will be produced. Adults will need one dose of H1N1 flu vaccine.

The H1N1 vaccine will be directed toward key populations 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.

Who SHOULD be vaccinated against H1N1:  ( * = First Priority if supplies are limited initially)

• pregnant women *

• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age  *
• health care and emergency medical services personnel *
• persons between the ages of 6 months through 4 years of age *
• children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions *
• people age 5 years to 24 years (with or without chronic heath conditions)
• people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for complications from  H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Who Should NOT be vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine: (See above—same as for Seasonal Flu)

For more information on the H1N1 vaccine, see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question 1: Where can I get the flu vaccine(s)?

A:  Seasonal flu vaccine is available at the Student Health Center (SHC). The SHC will also hold several H1N1 flu vaccine clinics on campus when vaccine arrives during the Fall.  Check the Student Health Center website or the Emergency Alert website for updates.  Flu vaccines will also be available in the community and from private healthcare providers.  Availability of the H1N1 vaccine may be limited to high-risk persons (see above), especially when it first becomes available.

Question 2: How much will the vaccines cost?

A:  The Undergraduate Associated Student Body sponsored 650 free flu shots that the students took advantage in September. Currently, on campus, the seasonal flu vaccine (FluMist) cost $20.00 for USD students and employees.  The H1N1 vaccine will be FREE of charge.  Costs for vaccine may vary in the community. 

Question 3: How many doses of flu vaccine will I need?

A:  2 doses will be required to immunize you against both seasonal and H1N1 flu.

• The seasonal flu vaccine is a single yearly dose for persons over age 7
• The H1N1 vaccine is a single dose for adults 

Question 4: When will the vaccines be available?

A: The SHC has seasonal flu vaccine.  The H1N1 vaccine will become available later, perhaps late October or early November.  The SHC will begin distribution of vaccines as soon as we receive them.

Question 5: I already had a flu-like illness this summer or fall. Should I still get vaccinated for the flu this fall?

A:  Yes, especially if you fall into one of the high-risk categories (see above).  Many different viruses can cause similar respiratory symptoms, so the illness you had earlier may not have been influenza.  Also, influenza viruses mutate rapidly, so an earlier illness may not guarantee immunity to the strain currently circulating.  It is best to protect yourself as well as you can, especially if you are high-risk.

Question 6: I am a healthy 19-24 year old. Should I be vaccinated for the flu?

A:  The CDC recommends that healthy persons age 6 months-24 years receive the H1N1 vaccine.  The single best way to protect against the Seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year.  In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.

Question 7: I heard that the flu vaccine can actually give you the flu. Is this true?

A:  No, this is a myth.  The injectable flu vaccines are made from killed virus, so they cannot give you the flu. Some people will have arm soreness, body aches, and low-grade fever after getting the flu shot, which signals your body’s immune response. The nasal flu vaccine is made from a live, weakened virus, so it sometimes causes mild respiratory symptoms.  For more information on side effects from flu vaccines, see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm.