If you have any questions related to H1N1, please contact the Independence Health Department at (816) 325-6300.

As of Saturday March 6, 2010, the Independence Health Department has successfully given 6,342 H1N1 vaccinations.

For scheduled H1N1 clinic dates and times, please visit our calendar of events.

Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Currently, H1N1 vaccine is in production and clinical trials are underway at five locations in the US and should be available in mid October. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials. Children nine years of age and younger will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine which should be administered 21 to 28 days apart. The novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect people.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the novel H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. The groups recommended to receive the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

• 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 less 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
  • Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
  • Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
  
  
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers will begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers will offer vaccination to people 65 or older.

FluMist or LAIV for H1N1 should NOT be given to the following groups:

• Children younger than 2 and adults 50 years and older
• Pregnant women
• Those with chronic medical conditions
• Those with an allergery to eggs or any other substance in the vaccine
• Those with asthma
• A history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• If you have received antiviral medications within the last 48 hours
• Have had the seasonal FluMist (LAIV) within the last 28 days

Inactivated or Injectable H1N1 vaccine should NOT be give to the following groups:

• Those with an allergy to eggs or any other substance in the vaccine
• A history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Those under the age of 6 months old

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including H1N1 influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs can be used to treat H1N1 flu or to prevent infection with H1N1 flu viruses. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional. Influenza antiviral drugs only work against influenza viruses -- they will not help treat or prevent symptoms caused by infection from other viruses that can cause symptoms similar to the flu.

CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with H1N1 influenza viruses. Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) is approved to both treat and prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people one year of age and older. Zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) is approved to treat influenza A and B virus infection in people 7 years and older and to prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people 5 years and older.

Treatment should be considered for all hospitalized patients with confirmed, probable or suspected H1N1influenza. Also, persons with suspected H1N1 influenza who should be considered for treatment include:

• Children younger than 5 years old. The risk for severe complications from seasonal influenza is highest among children younger than 2 years old.
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Persons with the following conditions:
  • Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
  • Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV
  • Pregnant women
  • Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
  • Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities

Use of antiviral drugs to prevent illness (chemoprophylaxis) is usually reserved for certain specific situations. Widespread use of antiviral medications for chemoprophylaxis is not encouraged. Inappropriate use of antiviral drugs might be a factor in causing more viruses to become resistant.