FOH Update on 2009
H1N1 Flu Vaccine
(As of November 20, 2009)
FOH H1N1 Vaccine Distribution Plan/Target Groups
Because initial supplies will not be available to meet demand, FOH will prioritize vaccination to high risk/target groups according to CDC guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as outlined in a joint memo on Immunization of Federal Workers issued from HHS-OPM on September 30.
As vaccine supplies become available, FOH will offer immunizations to those federal employees outside target groups who wish to receive the vaccine.
Based on the above guidelines and anticipated supply, FOH has established the following order of groups for H1N1 vaccination:
Group 2 – Those at increased risk of getting H1N1 influenza or for complications from H1N1
2b – Caregivers of infants <6 months old
2c – Adults < 25 years old
2d – Adults 25-64 years old with chronic medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, heart disease (except hypertension), kidney, liver, immunosuppressive disorders, cancer).
FOH has only received enough doses in its first shipments to vaccinate Groups 1 and Group 2a above. FOH will continue to administer vaccinations until the supply is depleted. FOH nurses will notify local points of contact as to time/dates of available vaccine at their location. As we receive additional supply, we will vaccinate the remainder of Group 2. Based on current projections from CDC, we do not anticipate receiving a significant enough supply of H1N1 vaccine to offer shots to the remainder of Group 2 (b-d) until early December.
As we have experienced in the past with both seasonal and H1N1 vaccine, production and supply are unpredictable and prone to problems and delays. Earlier projections of H1N1 supply were much more optimistic, and given this volatility, it is very difficult to predict with accuracy when supply will be sufficient to begin vaccinating Group 3.
It is important to remember that supplies may vary significantly by state or region, so as with seasonal flu, we encourage employees to take advantage of opportunities to be vaccinated within their community should they become available earlier. We will keep agencies and employees informed of any significant changes to the above plan or target groups.
It is especially crucial for everyone to take the small but important steps to keep ourselves and our families healthy.
Remember to:
- Wash hands frequently and adequately
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Keep hands out of our noses, eyes, and mouths
- Stay at home if you are sick
FOH will keep you posted as information changes and FOH Occupational Health Center staff will notify agencies locally when H1N1 flu vaccine is available at their location.
The Flu Shot Finder is a useful tool to help you find out if either seasonal or H1N1 vaccine is available at a location near you. For more information about seasonal or H1N1 influenza or vaccine availability, visit www.flu.gov.