Because of the rapid spread of the virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a global pandemic was on the rise in the form of novel influenza on June 11, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website (www.cdc.gov).
Novel influenza is more commonly known as “swine flu”. It’s a new strand of flu that first appeared in Mexico and the United States in March and April of 2009.
The federal government is working with multiple manufacturers to engineer a 2009 H1N1 vaccine. The CDC has modified the virus so that it can be used to make vaccine doses, which will be available in the fall of 2009.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the vaccine for people 10 years of age and older. Children under six months are too young to receive it, according to the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) website (health.utah.gov).
Communications Manager for the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, Pamela Davenport said, “The 2009 H1N1 vaccine specifically protects against the H1N1/swine flu strain of influenza…The new vaccine has undergone much the same testing that the seasonal flu vaccine does every year.”
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that pregnant women, people who come in contact with children younger than six months on a regular basis, healthcare personnel, emergency medical services personnel, everyone from six months to 24 years of age, and people aged 25 to 64 years who have chronic medical conditions should be the first to receive the vaccine when it becomes available.
Davenport said that safety is a top concern for the CDC.
Utah’s state and local public health services began placing their initial orders for the 2009 vaccine on Sept. 30. A supply of 30,000 doses was anticipated to arrive within the first fifteen days.
The UDOH has some simple ways to prevent the spread of the H1N1 novel flu virus. Cough and sneeze into the shirtsleeves and elbows, not into the hands. Stay away from work or school if flu-like symptoms are present. Wash the hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers.