On Thursday, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control issued an official update on the H1N1 virus and vaccine.
These are the main points they made about the H1N1 vaccine:
• There is no mandatory requirement.
• Only those aged 6 months to 10 years will need two doses, spread weeks apart. This is the same protocol as for seasonal flu shots for this age group. One dose is sufficient for all others.
• You can receive a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1 shot at the same visit; nasal spray vaccines have to be separated by several weeks.
• The vaccination offers rapid protection.
• The federal government has purchased 250 million doses and is distributing them free to the states; any charges for it should be minimal, and only for its administration.
• The vaccine will become available in limited amounts (and mostly nasal spray) the first full week in October; each week after that more will be available, with its distribution determined on a state and local level.
• There will be enough vaccine for any American who wants its protection.
• Taking antiviral medication, such as Tamiflu, as a preventive measure is not effective; it should only be used for treatment when necessary.
• For updates, go to www.flu.gov.
Give us your news Send health information, news and events to Prue Salasky at email@example.com or call 247-4784.Copyright © 2015, Daily Press