H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

Vaccine priority groups for H1N1 flu

For much of this fall and winter, vaccine supplies for the H1N1 and seasonal flu were very limited or not available at SEARHC-managed facilities. Because the vaccine supply was limited, SEARHC used priorities established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer vaccinations to high-risk priority group patients during this period. In December 2009, additional H1N1 flu vaccine supplies became available and most of our clinics were able to offer the vaccine to all patients. Some of our smaller clinics still may have limited supplies of H1N1 flu vaccine and may be using the CDC's priority group list, but all of our larger clinics have made the vaccine available to all patients. Our seasonal flu supplies continue to be very limited or not available at most of our clinics.

The CDC lists five priority groups for the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine during a time of limited vaccine availability:

• Pregnant women;
• People who live with or provide care for children younger than 6 months old (e.g., parents, siblings or daycare workers);
• Health care and emergency service workers who have direct contact with patients or infectious material;
• Children ages 6 months through 4 years old; and
• Children and adolescents ages 5-18 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.