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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information
(Updated: February 2010)
Influenza, including 2009 H1N1 (swine flu), is a vaccine-preventable illness. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family from getting this disease.
2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is now widely available. If you, your children or members of your family have not been vaccinated yet, now is a good time.
Flu pandemics often come in “waves,” and a third wave of H1N1 flu illness could occur this spring. Getting the flu vaccine will protect you and your loved ones.
Where should I get vaccinated?
More than 147 million doses of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine have been distributed, so check with your physician. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has a vaccine locator on its Web site: www.flu.gov.
Who should get vaccinated?
2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone, 6 months of age and older. Enough vaccine is available now for everyone who wants it.
It is best to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Some groups are especially at risk for being infected with this virus and are more likely to be ill with complications.
Every effort should be made to protect these people with vaccine, including:
- Everyone under age 25
- Parents and caretakers of infants younger than 6 months
- Pregnant women and those who delivered in the past 2 weeks
- Health care workers and emergency services personnel
- Adults ages 25 through 64 with chronic medical conditions
How many doses do children need?
Children under 10 years of age need two doses of 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) influenza vaccine to receive the most protection. Ideally, they should get their second dose four weeks after the first dose.
For the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) influenza vaccine given by injection, the second dose may be given as early as 21 days after the first dose. For the nasal spray vaccine, it is best to wait at least 28 days between doses.
People ages 10 and older need only one dose of H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine.
What are the kinds of flu vaccine?
Both the nasal spray flu vaccine and the flu shot are safe and effective. Parents can choose whichever form is available in their area, depending on the health and age of their child:
- Children ages 6 months through 2 years, pregnant women, and anyone with a chronic medical condition, must get the flu shot. These groups cannot get the nasal spray vaccine.
- Healthy people ages 2 through 49 years may receive the nasal spray vaccine.
It’s also important to get seasonal flu vaccine, which is a separate vaccine from the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all children ages 6 months through 18 years receive seasonal flu vaccine every year.
Is the H1N1 influenza vaccine safe?
The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is being made the same way as annual seasonal influenza vaccine. To date, the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine has been as safe as the seasonal influenza vaccine we have been using for many years.
Federal agencies are monitoring very closely reports of events occurring after people receive H1N1 vaccine. The reports so far show the same safety pattern as seasonal influenza vaccine.
The viruses included each year in the seasonal influenza vaccine may be changed when a new virus is expected to cause influenza that year. The 2009 H1N1 virus was discovered too late to be put in this year’s seasonal vaccine, so it is being given separately. Next flu season, 2009 H1N1 influenza virus will probably be included as one of the viruses in the seasonal vaccine.
A note about antivirals
Most children will recover with rest and care at home. People in high-risk groups may need antiviral medicine.
Antiviral medicine may help shorten the length of illness when taken soon after the symptoms of the flu start. If your child has more severe influenza symptoms OR is in a high risk group and you suspect your child has influenza, call your pediatrician.
Tips on how to prevent the spread of germs
The flu (influenza) is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands. The AAP and CDC encourage all of us to prevent the spread of germs by doing the following:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
- Put used tissues in the trash right away.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them. People generally should stay home at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100°F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
How families can protect themselves from swine flu
Experts from the AAP answer questions about the swine flu. The following are links to news articles and interviews:
Joseph Bocchini, MD, FAAP, chairman of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases (recorded December 2009)
Paul Offit, MD, FAAP, dispels common myths about the H1N1 flu vaccine in an Oct. 11, 2009, article in the New York Times .
Henry Bernstein, MD, FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, advises parents about H1N1 in a series of interviews on HealthRadio:
October 28, 2009
Prepare Your Children For Flu Season
Latest Update on H1N1 Vaccine For Kids
September 2009
How Parents Can Protect Their Children from H1N1
Information About H1N1 Vaccine
How "Common" Are Colds and Flu
Treating Colds and Flu Without Drugs
Richard Besser, MD, FAAP, former acting director of the CDC (recorded May 2009)
Additional online resources
For Parents/Caregivers:
For Child Care Programs and Schools:
Information about H1N1 flu (swine flu) in other Languages:
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