CDC Recommendations about H1N1 Vaccination

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest priority distribution of H1N1 influenza vaccine in 5 groups.

The director of National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases with the CDC, Anne Schuchat, MD, announced that there are 5 recommendation groups to receive the vaccine:

1. Pregnant women,
2. household contacts of children younger than 6 months of age,
3. healthcare workers & emergency medical services personnel,
4. children and young people between 6 months and 24 years of age,
5. non-elderly adults with underlying risk conditions or medical conditions that increase their risk for complications from influenza.

The Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices also proposed a priority group that should be vaccinated in the event of a shortage. These include:

1. Pregnant women,
2. household contacts of children younger than 6 months of age,
3. healthcare workers & emergency services personnel who have direct contact with patient or infectious substances,
4. children between 6 months and 4 years of age,
5. children between 5 to 18 years of age who have underlying risk factors that put them at greater risk for complications of influenza.

Reference:

• Medscape