Information per the Immunizaition Action Coalition from the CDC  

Q: When will vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus be

  available?

  A: CDC estimates that approximately 45 million doses of H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available in mid-October. CDC anticipates that approximately 20 million additional doses will be released in each subsequent week. Keep in mind that vaccine availability is driven by a number of variables in the manufacturing process. Once vaccine is available, vaccination should begin immediately.

  Q: Is the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine experimental?

  A: No. H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available in an inactivated, injectable formulation and a nasal-spray, live attenuated formulation. Neither is an experimental vaccine.  The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines are made employing the same methods and facilities used annually to produce seasonal influenza vaccine. The vaccines are undergoing additional clinical trials at this time to determine the size of the dose and the number of doses that will be needed for protection.

  Q: Once a 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine becomes available, who

  will be targeted to receive the vaccine? 

  A: On August 28, 2009, CDC issued recommendations for the use of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. The recommendations identify 5 initial target groups for H1N1 influenza  vaccination.  
They are (1) pregnant women; (2) people who live with or provide care for infants younger than age 6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, day care providers); (3) healthcare and emergency medical services personnel; (4) children and young adults ages 6 months through 24 years; and (5) people ages 25 through 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-

related complications. You can access the complete recommendations at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5810.pdf

  Q: Why are pregnant women prioritized for vaccination?

  A: Data from early 2009 H1N1 influenza cases in the United

  States show that pregnant women account for a disproportionate 
 number of deaths, making them a high-priority group for 
 vaccination (see

  http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61304-0/abstract).

  Also, guidance has been issued for clinicians to promptly

  treat pregnant women who become infected with the 2009 H1N1

  virus with antiviral drugs

  (see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm). 

Q: Why aren't adults age 65 years and older included as a

  priority group for the 2009 H1N1 vaccination as they are for

  seasonal influenza, where they are included as part of the

  age-50-and-older priority group?

  A: Current studies indicate that the risk of infection, hospitalization, and death from the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus among persons age 65 years and older is less than is the risk for younger age groups. Studies suggest that there is some degree of preexisting immunity to the 2009 H1N1 strains, especially among adults older than age 60 years. One possible explanation is that some adults in this age group have had previous exposure, either through infection or vaccination, to an influenza A (H1N1) virus. People age 65 years and older are included as a priority group if they live with or care for infants younger than age 6 months or are a healthcare or emergency services provider.

  Q: Will H1N1 influenza vaccine be available for healthy

  people age 25 years and older (who are not in targeted

  groups)?

  A: Once public health authorities at the local level determine that the H1N1 influenza vaccine demand for the 5 target groups has been met, providers will be notified that they can administer the vaccine to healthy people ages 25 through 64 years. Once demand for H1N1 influenza vaccine among younger age groups is met, vaccination should be expanded to all people age 65 and older.

  Q: Once H1N1 influenza vaccine becomes available, should we

  stop administering seasonal influenza vaccine?

  A: No. Providers should start administering seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as it is available and continue to administer it throughout influenza season, including during the winter and spring months.

  Q: If a patient has received the seasonal influenza vaccine,

  do they need to receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine?

  A: If a patient is in a risk group to receive H1N1 influenza vaccine, they should be vaccinated. Studies suggest that vaccination with season influenza vaccine will not provide protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

  Q: Will we be able to administer both the seasonal and H1N1

  influenza vaccines at the same visit?

  A: You can in most cases. See the points below.

  * You can administer both the inactivated seasonal and the

  inactivated H1N1 influenza vaccines at the same visit (using

  separate syringes and sites) or at any time before or after

  each other.