H1N1 flu vaccine eligible beneficiaries update Published Dec. 14, 2009 By the 49th Medical Group HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 49th Medical Group continues to receive partial shipments of the H1N1 flu vaccine from the state supply, both injectable and intranasal forms of the vaccine. As of Dec. 10, the beneficiaries who are eligible to receive the on-hand H1N1 vaccine from the 49th MDG are as follows: · New: All dependents · New: All retirees · Pregnant Women (active duty and non-AD) · Parents/care-givers of infants younger than 6 months of age (AD and non-AD) · AD deployers High-Risk Populations: · Pregnant women · Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old · People 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health disorders or compromised immune system Future outlook for active duty H1N1 vaccinations State supplies of the H1N1 vaccine are designated for vaccinating dependents and retirees; whereas, Department of Defense vaccines will be used for active duty personnel. Immediately following the 49th MDG's receipt of the DoD H1N1 vaccine, active duty members will be contacted via chain-of-command and e-mail channels. Anyone who can provide documentation of laboratory-confirmed H1N1 virus, or injection given by another provider earlier this year, will be considered immune or vaccinated and will not need to be vaccinated this year. Those who are unsure whether or not they are eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine, please contact the Immunization Clinic at (575) 572-7188. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7:30-11:45 a.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. H1N1 FAQs: don't get it; don't spread it As inventory levels of the H1N1 vaccine (both state and DoD) continue to trickle in, Dr. (Maj.) Lee Brock, a pediatrician with the 49th MDG, would like to shed light on the H1N1 vaccine and frequently asked questions surrounding this new strain of influenza. Question: How is the H1N1 vaccine administered? Dr. Brock: The H1N1 vaccine can be received as an injectable -- dosage dependent on age -- or a nasal spray form. The injectable is an inactivated vaccine containing a killed virus that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The injectable vaccine is approved for those 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. The same manufacturers who produce the seasonal flu vaccine produce the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for use in the United States this flu season. The nasal spray H1N1 vaccine is made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu. The nasal spray vaccine is approved for use in healthy people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The H1N1 and seasonal flu nasal spray vaccine are being manufactured by the same company, MedImmune. Q: Are the injectable and nasal spray form of the H1N1 vaccine safe? Dr. Brock: Every year vaccine companies make a new flu vaccine for the influenza strain that is predicted to be infecting people for that year. This year, manufacturers are making two vaccines, one for the seasonal flu and one for the H1N1 flu. The H1N1 flu vaccines are being made by the same manufacturers, in the same manner as the yearly seasonal flu vaccine. The only difference is the flu strain that is in the vaccine. We have a long track record with seasonal flu vaccination and this vaccine is not any different than other seasonal flu vaccinations. Q: Why get vaccinated? Dr. Brock: 2009 is presenting a new strain of flu. There have not been many similar strains to the H1N1 vaccine in recent years, so a large proportion of the population does not have immunity to this particular strain. While the flu strain caused by H1N1 and seasonal flu are not significantly different, it is likely that more people will be exposed and catch the H1N1 flu. Healthy people will likely be fine if they do contract H1N1, but they could very easily become a carrier passing along the H1N1 to an elderly parent, grandparent or child who may be at higher risk. By getting a vaccine, people limit the chance of getting and passing H1N1 to others. For more information regarding H1N1, please visit the following websites: · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · DoD website · AF website