CDC Features

CDC Features

It's Not Too Late to Vaccinate!

Photo: A mother and children playing in the snow.

National Influenza Vaccination Week highlights the importance of continuing influenza vaccination and encourages more people to get the flu vaccine after the holiday season. This year's NIVW is taking place January 10-16, 2010.

Now that it's the new year, resolutions are in order. For those of you who haven't gotten your vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu yet, getting vaccinated should be at the top of your list. Just by taking the simple step to get vaccinated, you are helping to protect yourself, your family members, and others around you. The peak of influenza doesn't usually hit until January or later, so vaccination can still protect you and your loved ones against flu, even this late into the season. National Influenza Vaccination Week was created to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, and to encourage more people to get the flu vaccine after the holiday season. This year's NIVW is taking place January 10-16, 2010.

Most have realized over the past year that influenza is unpredictable. We do not know the likelihood of a future wave of 2009 H1N1 influenza, but we do know that vaccination is the single best way to reduce the health impact of flu. Since 2009 H1N1 disease will likely continue into the new year, NIVW is an important opportunity to maintain or increase the number of people who get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine at a time when demand for vaccine usually drops significantly. Though more people have received the flu vaccine this year than ever, most people still have not gotten the 2009 H1N1 vaccine - there is still room for improvement among every age and risk group.

One of the many goals for NIVW is to engage at-risk audiences who are not yet vaccinated, hesitant about vaccination or unsure about where to get vaccinated. Every year, NIVW designates a different day to highlight the importance for different groups to get vaccinated.

General Public and Health Care Workers

Monday, January 11th is the official vaccination day for both health care workers and the general public. Now that more 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available and high risk groups have had the opportunity to get vaccinated, anyone 6 months or older in the general public is encouraged to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 flu. Health care workers are among those at high risk of getting and spreading the flu to high risk patients. For all health care or emergency medical services personnel who haven't received their 2009 H1N1 vaccine yet, get it now.

People with Chronic Health Conditions

Tuesday, January 12th is the designated vaccination day for people with chronic health conditions that put them at high-risk of serious influenza-related complications. Those high-risk conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver disorders, neurological disorders, blood disorders, cancer, HIV or AIDS and others. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are all flu-related complications.

People with high-risk conditions, ages 25 through 64, have been hit especially hard by 2009 H1N1. But many people don't realize that having an existing medical condition increases their risk of severe influenza illness. A large proportion of severe illnesses and deaths from 2009 H1N1 have occurred in this group. It's important that people who fall within this high risk group, or those of any age with a high risk condition, get vaccinated this year.

Pregnant Women, Children, and Caregivers of Children less than 6 Months Old

Wednesday, January 13th will highlight the importance of 2009 H1N1 vaccination for pregnant women, children and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.

2009 H1N1 flu is very serious for these three groups. A pregnant woman who gets flu has a greater chance for serious problems and even dying from influenza. A mother who is vaccinated during her pregnancy can reduce the risk of influenza for her and for her baby.

Children of all ages have a high risk of contracting the influenza illness, especially children under the age of 2. Any child who has a chronic health condition like asthma, neurological conditions, heart disease or diabetes is at increased risk for complications from flu. Getting the flu can mean children missing school and activities, and sometimes results in hospitalization or, sadly, even death. From April through December 2009, the CDC has reported 289 flu-related deaths in children.

Household contacts and caregivers of children 6 months and younger are strongly recommended to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine because these children are not old enough to receive the vaccine and could get very sick if they catch the flu. The best way to protect these children is to make sure that their caregivers and other adults and children who live with them get vaccinated.

Young Adults

The 2009 H1N1 virus targets a lot of the same high risk groups as seasonal flu. But, unlike seasonal flu, the 2009 H1N1 virus has spread quickly among young adults, ages 19 to 24 years. Thursday, January 14th will focus on vaccinating this age group. Young adults have been hit hard by 2009 H1N1 this year. Since many young adults are regularly around a large variety of people, whether it's their families, workplace, or classrooms, they are more likely to expose themselves and their loved ones to this virus. Vaccination is not just important for their health, but also for those around them.

Seniors

The CDC now recommends older Americans to get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. While many people think older people are less likely to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus compared to younger people, there have been severe infections and deaths from 2009 H1N1 in every age group, including people 65 and older. Friday, January 15th, has been designated Seniors' Vaccination Day, a reminder that older Americans should now get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

For more information about National Influenza Vaccination Week and how you can get involved in this event, visit the NIVW website.