The new swine flu virus was isolated in April 2009. Now the first batch of H1N1 vaccine, up to seven million doses, is expected to be available in the United States this week. And there is no time to waste; unseasonably early flu infections are already widespread.
How Fast Influenza Spreading?
How many H1N1 and seasonal flu infections have there been this Fall? Numbers are hard to estimate, since it is only the severe or institutional cases that are typically reported. The majority of people who catch H1N1 and seasonal flu, only suffer mild symptoms, and do not require hospitalization. Still, based on what the CDC does know about reported and confirmed cases of influenza, the flu has hit the US early and multiple cases have been recorded in most states.
Influenza Can Be Deadly
Although most cases of influenza, both seasonal and the new H1N1, are mild, some people do become severely ill. Seasonal flu kills about 36,000 people in the US annually, mostly the elderly and immune compromised. The new H1N1 swine flu can also be deadly, and targets a far different population. Like the Spanish Flu of the early 1900’s, which killed millions, this new pandemic influenza is most dangerous for children, young adults and pregnant women.
When Will the H1N1 Vaccine Be Available?
With a vaccination for H1N1, it is unlikely that there will be a repeat of the devastating Spanish Flu pandemic. The new H1N1 vaccine has been formulated, is being shipped and will be available to most people in the US within the next week or so, depending how quickly area health care systems can distribute the vaccines. Those most at risk of becoming severely ill with H1N1 will be vaccinated first.
Is the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Safe?
On October 7th, National Public Radio’s Diane Rehm show examined the H1N1 vaccine plans with insight from three infectious disease experts:
- Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, and the Minnesota Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH.
- Dr. Robert Pestronk, Executive Director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
Much of the discussion focused on H1N1 vaccine safety with several callers voicing concern. The consensus of the experts…Although the H1N1 vaccine is new, it is still an influenza vaccine, produced in much the same way as influenza vaccines have been produced for decades, same processes, same materials, slightly different virus.
Is the new H1N1 Vaccine Safe for Pregnant Women?
Seasonal influenza vaccines have been administered to pregnant women for decades with no record of serious side effects for mother or child. These experts stated that they did not expect the new H1N1 vaccine to deviate from this history of safety. Pregnant women are, however, a high risk group for being hospitalized with influenza, five times higher than the general population.
Dr. Osterholm even contributed his personal view, in addition to his professional advice. His daughter is pregnant, and he can’t wait for her to get the vaccine. He has no worries about safety of vaccine, but worries plenty about danger that the H1N1 virus could pose to his daughter and the child she is carrying.
To learn more about the official recommendations on seasonal and swine flu vaccination, see the information on the CDC’s influenza web pages.
Sources
National Public Radio, Diane Rehm Show, H1N1 Vaccine Plans aired on October 7, 2009.
H1N1 Flu Web Pages of the Center for Disease Control, updated as of October 2, 2009.
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Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.
