| Novel H1N1 Influenza A (2009) |
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| Population Vaccination Plan |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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For Healthcare Providers
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| Are you a Healthcare Provider in Macomb County? The Health Department has a new Novel Influenza A H1N1 webpage with up-to-date articles and information specifically for Healthcare Providers. To visit the Healthcare Providers webpage click here. |
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| Vaccine Information Sheets |
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| Useful Links |
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| Vaccination |
- Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu.
- You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine is different from the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine. The CDC is encouraging people to get both vaccinations, as soon as each is available.
- The four novel H1N1 flu vaccine approved by the FDA are now available to the public but in limited quantities.
- The CDC recommends that certain priority groups receive the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available. In October, the CDC announced that initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities.
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| Priority Groups Recommended to Receive the H1N1 Flu Vaccine |
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public health experts, recommends several groups receive the novel H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available:
| Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated. |
| Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus. |
| Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism among healthcare professionals could reduce healthcare capacity. |
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age.
Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 flu in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 flu in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, are they are frequently a mobile population. |
| Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. |
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| Do the following to prevent from getting sick |
- Take everyday preventative actions.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
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All of the novel influenza A H1N1 2009 vaccine has been purchased by the Federal Government. Once available, the Macomb County Health Department plans to administer the vaccine at health department locations, school-based clinics, and some community-based clinics. Vaccine will also be made available to private healthcare providers that wish to administer it. The vaccine will not be commercially available.
Once the demand for vaccine among persons in the five priority groups has been met, vaccine will be made available to all persons 25-64 years of age, and eventually to persons 65 years of age and older. Current information indicates that the risk of infection among persons 65 years of age and older is much less than the risk for younger individuals.
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| Seasonal Flu Vaccine and the novel H1N1 Flu Vaccine |
- The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine are separate vaccinations.
- The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against novel H1N1 flu and the novel H1N1 flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each protects against a different virus and intended to be used along-side the other.
- Seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu injectable vaccines may be administered on the same day.
- The usual seasonal flu is still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are still encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine.
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| The Novel H1N1 Flu Vaccine |
- On September 15, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 (Swine) flu virus.
- On September 21, 2009, the National Institutes of Health announced that the novel H1N1 flu vaccine will likely require just one 15-microgram dose for children 10 to 17 years of age. The immune response in children nine years old and younger were not as strong, and these children will require 2 doses spaced at 1 month apart. Studies show the immune response is very similar to the seasonal flu vaccination.
- October 2009: The novel H1N1 vaccines are being distributed nationally to the states, however, initial quantities are limited.
- Macomb County Health Department is holding community-based clinics for the target population. In addition to these public clinics, novel H1N1 vaccine has been distributed to hospitals and private physician offices in Macomb County that requested it through the H1N1 vaccine enrollment process established by the state. Many of these providers are pediatricians and OB/GYNs; this effectively targets two high-risk population: young children and pregnant women. Interested community members may call their physicians's office to see if they have enrolled and received vaccine for their patients.
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| This website will be updated as more detailed information becomes available. Additional information about novel influenza A (H1N1) is available at the following websites: CDC - 2009 H1N1 Flu or Michigan Department of Community Health - Influenza or www.flu.gov. |
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Macomb County Web Site
