By Joy Pierce Mathews for Summit Medical Group

Reports about limited supply for the H1N1 vaccine have prompted misconceptions about motives for prioritizing the H1N1 vaccine. Despite rumors to the contrary, national health authorities have long given thoughtful consideration to prioritizing vaccines and protecting public health. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed guidelines for health policy makers and national authorities that address planning principles, ways to improve vaccine supply, and distribution practices to minimize disease spread during an influenza pandemic.

Because technology and the public health care needs are always changing, WHO continues to gather data, collaborate with public and private groups, and update their recommendations with consideration for logistical, ethical, moral, cultural, and legal concerns, among others.

WHO goals for vaccine programs are designed to protect everyone by:

• Reducing mortality and mortality
• Maintaining the health care system and social infrastructure
• Limiting social disruption
• Minimizing health care costs

In addition to WHO guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend that certain groups receive the H1N1 vaccine first.

Based on data for disease patterns, populations at greatest risk for severe illness, hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccine availability, the CDC recommends the following groups receive the H1N1 vaccine:

• Pregnant women: because they are at higher risk of complications resulting from influenza compared with many other people. In addition, mothers who have been vaccinated potentially protect infants (who cannot be vaccinated) from contracting the virus
• Household contacts and caregivers of children age 6 months and younger: because younger infants cannot be vaccinated, they are at higher risk of influenza-related complications compared with many other people. Vaccinating their caregivers helps prevent them from getting the virus from their caregivers
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel: because health care workers have frequent contact with disease and can infect vulnerable patients. Health care workers who are ill cannot perform their jobs, which are vital when a virus is spreading quickly
• All people age 6 months through 24 years
  • Children age 6 months through 18 years: because they have close contact with each other in school and day care and are likely to spread disease quickly
  • Adults age 19 through 24 years: because they are highly mobile and live, work, and study in close proximity of each other. Data show a high incidence of the H1N1 virus in this population
• People age 25 through 64 years: because they have health conditions that increase their risk of complications from influenza

Although vaccine supplies are currently limited, the CDC suggests there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone who wishes to receive it.

Summit Medical Group is closely following CDC guidelines for administering the vaccine. We do not know in advance how much vaccine we will receive or when we will receive it. For these reasons, we cannot schedule appointments.

We are eager to keep you informed about H1N1 vaccine availability and ensure that you receive it at the earliest possible opportunity. Please visit our home page for updates on our H1N1 vaccination clinics and information about the vaccine.

Please click here for information about the 2009 seasonal influenza vaccination.

References
1. World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines on the Use of Vaccines and Antivirals During Influenza Pandemics. www.who.int/en/. Accessed November 24, 2009.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/ACIP/default.htm. Accessed November 24, 2009.