From the
Desk of Robert J. Smith,
Camden County Health Officer
QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
Novel
H1N1 (swine) Flu Vaccine
What
is the flu shot?
There are two flu shots this year. The seasonal flu shot which protects
you from catching the three most common seasonal flu viruses that are
expected for the year. The H1N1 (swine) flu shot provides protection
from the H1N1 flu virus. Make sure when inquiring about the availability
of the vaccine to say which type of flu shot (seasonal or H1N1) you
are referring to.
Who can be vaccinated first with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine
that comes to New Jersey? (Please note that one of the forms of the
vaccine, the nasal mist, is not recommended for all individuals within
the priority groups.)
Pregnant
women because they are at higher risk of complications and
can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
Household
contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications
and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with
infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning”
them from the virus;
Healthcare
and emergency medical services personnel because infections
among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential
source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism
in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
All
people from 6 months through 24 years of age:
o Children
from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of
2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close
contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases
the likelihood of disease spread;
o Young
adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of
2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults
and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they
are a frequently mobile population;
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated
with higher risk of medical complications from the flu.
I’m a senior citizen (over 65). Should I get a 2009 H1N1
flu shot?
While seniors are traditionally among those at higher risk for complications
from seasonal flu, this does not appear to hold true with H1N1. Individuals
age 65 and older so far have been less susceptible to catching the H1N1
flu. For seniors, it is more important to get a seasonal flu vaccine.
Seniors may also want to talk to their health care providers about getting
a pneumonia vaccine.
I am not in a priority group. Will I get turned away at the
clinic? When do I get vaccinated?
Priority groups will be vaccinated first, but there is expected to be
enough vaccine available to vaccinate everyone who wants it after the
priority group has been vaccinated. If you have concerns, contact your
health care provider.
Where
can I get a 2009 H1N1 flu shot?
There will be more than 2300 sites in New Jersey that will have vaccine
shipped directly from the CDC. But there will be many more locations
throughout the state that will offer 2009 H1N1 vaccinations: health
care providers’ offices, community health centers, schools, county
and local health departments, and retail pharmacies.
H1N1 flu
vaccine will be distributed to New Jersey (and across the country) in
staggered shipments. Right now, it is very early in that process and
a limited supply of vaccine is being delivered. We expect more in November
and December. Both the nasal mist and the injectable form of the vaccine
will be available for several months and there is expected to be enough
vaccine for everyone who wants to get vaccinated.
Will
I be able to get a vaccination at my doctor’s office?
Check with your doctor’s office to see if they have received or
will be receiving the vaccine in the near future. If they do not have
the vaccine now but will be receiving it in the future, ask the procedure
for notification (i.e. should you keep calling or will they take your
name and call you when the vaccine arrives).
Where
will I be able to get a vaccination at a community site?
Check your local papers or county website for public clinics being held
for specific target groups. You can also check the NJ State website
for public health locations in your area that will be vaccinating at
http://web.doh.state.nj.us/apps2/flu/fluschedules.aspx.
This website is updated on an ongoing basis. Individuals in priority
groups for vaccination can go to any public health clinic to receive
the vaccine, regardless of which New Jersey county they live in. After
we are certain that all priority groups in NJ who want the vaccine have
received it, it will be available to the general public. At that time,
public health clinics may give preference to their county residents.
Will
I be able to get a vaccination at my local pharmacy?
Check with your local pharmacy to see if the vaccine is available.
Novel
H1N1 Influenza and You
What is Novel H1N1?
Novel H1N1 is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza
viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally
get Novel H1N1, but human infections can and do happen. Novel H1N1 viruses
have been reported to spread from person-to-person and caused a world-wide
outbreak in humans.
What are the signs and symptoms of Novel H1N1 in people?
The symptoms of Novel H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of
regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and
vomiting associated with Novel H1N1. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia
and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with Novel H1N1
infection in people. Like seasonal flu, Novel H1N1 may cause a worsening
of underlying chronic medical conditions
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
The Center for Disease Control has recommended that certain groups receive
the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. While most of
those infected have recovered without needing medical treatment, the
H1N1 Flu can pose a more serious health threat to pregnant women, children,
and those with compromised immune systems. There are everyday actions
that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses
like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash
your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or
sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try
to avoid close contact with sick people.
The
Center for Disease Control recommends that people stay home for at
least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, without use of fever-reducing
medicines, and regardless of whether or not they are using antiviral
drugs.
What
should I do if I get sick?
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body
aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you
may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are
worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine
whether treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and
avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading
your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the
following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent
medical attention include:
Fast
breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish
skin color
Not
drinking enough fluids
Not
waking up or not interacting
Being
so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like
symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever
with a rash
In
adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
Difficulty
breathing or shortness of breath
Pain
or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden
dizziness
Confusion
Severe
or persistent vomiting
Are
there medicines to treat Novel H1N1?
If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make
you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within
2 days of symptoms). Consult your physician for advice concerning your
condition.
How serious is Novel H1N1 infection?
Like seasonal flu, Novel H1N1 in humans can vary in severity from mild
to severe.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION RESOURCES
Where
can I learn more?
For the Center for Disease Control, go to: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
For NJ information, go to: http://www.nj.gov/health/flu//h1n1/
For the NJ hotline: 1-866-321-9571
If you have other questions, call the Camden County Department of Health
and Human Services at 1-800-999-9045.
