Access to 2009 H1N1 Monovalent Vaccine for Children with High-Risk Medical Conditions

November 04, 2009 5:45 PM ET

If you are interested in assisting clients who want to find a 2009  H1N1 immunization site in your state, go to our vaccination locator at http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/locator.html or contact your state health department’s immunization program through your state’s public health department website or telephone directory. If you are interested in becoming a provider of 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine, consult the Health Care Providers and Facilities Decision Tree for 2009 H1N1 Monovalent Vaccination at http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/decisiontree.htm.

Most people who get the flu (either seasonal or 2009 H1N1) will have mild illness, will not need medical care or antiviral drugs, and will recover in less than two weeks.  Some children, however, are more likely to get flu complications that result in being hospitalized and occasionally result in death.

A child is at high risk for flu complications if he/she has:

• Asthma
• Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions including disorders of the brain; spinal cord; peripheral nerve; and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury.  
• Chronic lung disease (such as cystic fibrosis)
• Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease and congestive heart failure)  
• Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
• Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
• Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, cancer, or those on chronic steroids) 

Go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5810a1.htm for the full ACIP recommendations on the use of 2009 H1N1 monovalent influenza vaccine.

The federal government has allocated 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccines to states based on population size.  The vaccine is available free of charge. States are responsible for identifying providers (in the public and private sectors) who will participate in administration of 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccines. Vaccines are shipped to participating providers through a centralized distribution process. Placing of orders is facilitated by the state/local health department, and vaccines are shipped directly to the distribution sites.
State/Local public heath departments are responsible for directing the flow of vaccine to providers within every state. They have recruited providers that have the capability to receive, store and administer vaccines, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, occupational health clinics, local health departments, community vaccinators, pharmacies and other providers of vaccines that have been designated as vaccine-receiving sites.

In most project areas, many providers have already registered through the state/local public health departments. Most states are still accepting registrations. For providers who receive 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccines, options for vaccination include holding special clinics, integrating the 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccination into usual care, or providing walk-in immunizations. In determining the best option, each practice should consider several factors, including availability of vaccines, practice resources and patient demand. For providers who are not able to provide 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccines in their practices, it will be important to familiarize yourselves with the 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine plans in your communities including where to refer patients for vaccination. For more information, consult http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/decisiontree.htm.

The 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect people.  Seasonal flu and inactivated 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccines may be administered on the same day.  For answers to other frequently asked questions, visit http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/top10_faq.htm.

For more information contact your local health department or 1-800-CDC-INFO.