Preparation for H1N1 Vaccine
Published:
Claiborne Progress
Wednesday,
September 30, 2009
At
an informational meeting on Thursday afternoon, Educational Director for the
Claiborne
County
Hospital, Linda
Majors introduced key speaker, RN Carol Dunifer.
Dunifer explained to the audience what preparations are being made for the
H1N1 vaccine when it is expected out by mid October.
She opened up the meeting by allowing those in the audience to ask questions
about the H1N1 virus as well give any insight into what they already know.
The “H” and the “N” in the name for the virus come from the molecular
components that make up the particular strain of the virus.
The reason they are calling it a pandemic flu, which is different from the
seasonal flu, is because it stretches worldwide. A pandemic flu does not
mean that it is stronger or is going to cause more deaths but it will affect
more people across several different countries.
Dunifer explained that H1N1 is not hitting people over 60 years old like the
seasonal flu; it is hitting younger people and those with pre-existing
medical conditions.
The seasonal flu vaccination is already available but the H1N1 is not
expected out until mid-October.
The formula for the seasonal vaccine was already in the making in the spring
before the H1N1 virus was present, which is why the H1N1 was not made with
the seasonal vaccination.
The reason you have a yearly flu shot is that the formula changes each year
to match the seasonal flu.
It is safe to do both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 together but if you do
not take them together, they then have to be taken four weeks apart because
the vaccines are live viruses.
The H1N1 vaccine will be coming out exactly like the seasonal flu vaccine,
in shots, individual doses, vials and nasal.
The H1N1 vaccine is completely different from the seasonal vaccine when it
comes to the cost. The Federal Government is going to pay the full price for
the H1N1 for 6 months all the way to adult. The vaccine will not be
administered to 6 months and under.
If you get your vaccine at a doctor’s office or pharmacy there could be the
possibility that you are going to have to pay for the service but you will
not be charged for the medicine but it is entirely free for administration
at the Health Department.
The hardest part when it comes to the number of vaccines they order is the
number of people who want the vaccine. The vaccine will be administered to
those that are high priority such as pregnant women and children from six
months to 24 years old. People that that are 25 to 60 years old with
pre-existing medical conditions will also qualify as high priority.
Patients with asthma will not be more affected by H1N1 than a person who
does not have it. They are recommended to take the vaccination to keep the
flu symptoms for worsening but it will not hurt their asthma conditions.
Ten years old and up will only have to have one round of the vaccine but
nine years and below will be required to have two rounds of the vaccine.
Health care workers are encouraged to take the vaccine because of working
with patients.
There will be over 4,500 doses of the vaccine delivered to the Health
Department and other doses will be going to other health care providers.
Dunifer stated that there are calls daily into the Health Department with
concerns of the H1N1 virus and the vaccine.
“People want to know if they have it or not, just like each of us, if we
have it, we would want to know,” she said, “We have a sentinel provider in
Claiborne
County and
we’re very lucky, which is Heartland Medical.”
The state sends the sentinel provider test kits for the virus. They do the
testing and the kits are then sent to the state for results. Other providers
have to do testing individually and send those into their labs for the
results.
The Health Department gets the bulk of their information from the sentinel
provider on cases.
“H1N1 is here,” Dunifer said, “The information sent in from the sentinel
provider shows 100 percent H1N1 because the seasonal flu is not here,
samples that have been sent in are not seasonal flu.”
Dunifer said the symptoms for seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus are similar
although with H1N1 there is more diarrhea and vomiting. She said if you are
having diarrhea and vomiting without the other symptoms then you most likely
are experiencing a stomach virus.
The Health Department keeps track of those with flu-like symptoms and
records show that those cases were down in the month of August.
Medical providers are recommending that people still get their seasonal flu
vaccination as soon as possible. The H1N1 vaccine will be available and they
would like to have the bulk of people for the seasonal flu vaccination taken
care of before the H1N1 is available.
Another factor when it comes to the number of vaccines ordered is the
storage. The vaccines have to be stored in a cool well-vented refrigerator.
A large amount of the vaccine cannot be placed in the refrigerator together
because it will restrict the airflow and temperature.
Dunifer recommended carrying hand sanitizer at all times such as before
eating, while shopping and keeping it in the car and at work. She also said
practicing good health habits will help keep you healthier.
“People don’t want to do it but decreasing sweets, getting good exercise,
adequate sleep, more sunshine and fresh air,” she said, “Eat foot that are
high in antioxidants, vitamins, they help, when everyone around you is
getting sick and you aren’t you’ll know why.”
Before closing the meeting, Dunifer discussed the number of deaths when
comparing the seasonal flu and the H1N1.
“You don’t hear about the deaths but there have been a lot of deaths from
the seasonal flu in year’s past, more so than the H1N1,” she said, “If there
have been deaths with H1N1 it is because there were pre-existing medical
conditions. It’s not to be feared as much as the seasonal flu.”
The seasonal flu vaccine is available now but the H1N1 vaccine will not be
available until mid-October. The Health Department is still unsure where the
vaccine will be administered.
