Nov. 2: Update on the H1N1 Vaccine

Production of H1N1 vaccine has encountered delays, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a result, supplies are expected to be very limited until possibly late this month or into December.

SU Health Services will notify students about how to obtain the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available, and the vaccine will be administered in accordance with CDC guidelines.

SU faculty and staff are encouraged to check with their health care providers and to monitor the Onondaga County Health Department website (http://www.ongov.net/health/index.html) and the New York State Department of Health website (http://www.health.state.ny.us/) for updates on H1N1 vaccine availability.

The CDC coordinates the vaccine supply. Whenever the CDC notifies the NYS Department of Health of available vaccine, the department quickly distributes the vaccine to clinical sites across the state. As of Oct. 26, the CDC had allotted a total of 460,300 doses to the NYS Department of Health. These doses have been distributed to doctor's offices, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and county health departments across the state, with priority usage for the following groups:

· pregnant women;
· children and young people ages 6 months through age 24;
· people who live with or provide care for infants under 6 months of age;
· health care workers and emergency medical service personnel; and
· people ages 25 through 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of serious illness and medical complications from the flu (see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/highrisk.htm).

Once individuals in these priority groups have had a chance to get vaccinated, and there is adequate supply, H1N1 flu vaccine should be available to the general population.

To date, the Onondaga County Health Department has received only a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine has been already distributed to hospitals and additionally has been targeted for school nurses and childcare providers for children less than 6 months of age. State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, in Oct. 29 messages to the public and to health care providers, asked for all to remain patient as the state waits for larger quantities of the vaccine to become available.

The H1N1 vaccine comes in two forms - a flu shot or a nasal mist. Descriptions of each are available from the CDC:

· Flu shot: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
· Nasal mist: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-laiv-h1n1.pdf

It's very important that all members of the University community continue to follow these practices to prevent getting and transmitting the flu:

· cough or sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your elbow, not your hands;
· wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
· keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth (flu spreads this way);
· try to avoid contact with people who are sick;
· stay home when you are sick, and do not return to classes or work until you have been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours.