Action Line: H1N1 vaccine for CDCs

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  There have been several action lines from parents concerning the Child Development Centers requiring that all children get the H1N1 vaccine.

The 3rd Medical Group is committed to protecting all the children in the Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base community. Our Child Development Centers are required to maintain high standards for food preparation or general cleanliness, as well as for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Safe and effective vaccines are a critical part of our efforts to limit the spread of illness.

1. The H1N1 vaccine is not really new. The H1N1 vaccine is made in the same manner as seasonal influenza vaccine, using the same vaccine template and incubation process that has been used for years. Hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine with this template have been given over the years. The only difference is the specific portions of influenza virus that are included each year. For the H1N1 vaccine, portions of that particular virus were used instead of portions of the typical seasonal influenza virus. The testing for it is the same rigorous testing that is performed each year for the seasonal influenza vaccine.

2. The H1N1 vaccine is safe. The U.S. government tracks all reactions to vaccines. During a Oct. 27 CDC teleconference, it was announced that several million doses have been administered with only six severe reactions (requiring hospital intervention).

3. Children under 5 are very efficient spreaders of the H1N1 virus to other children and to adults. The single best way to prevent your child developing H1N1 is to get them vaccinated. By vaccinating all of the children and staff at the CDCs, we decrease the chance of this illness spreading to other children, their families, and our military troops.

4. Typically seasonal flu affects the elderly more than young children. For H1N1 it's the opposite. Since Aug. 30, 74 children have died from H1N1 in the U.S. Children under 5 are at greatest risk from having severe complications, including death from the H1N1 influenza. They also have by far the highest rate of hospitalization for H1N1 of any age group.

5. The seasonal influenza has been mandatory for children who attend the Air Force CDCs and on-base home daycare for years. The Air Force has extended this policy to include H1N1. This is an Air Force policy, not a local policy. We do not have local authority to change this decision. We have established Jan. 1, 2010, as the date when all CDC attendees will require their first dose of H1N1 vaccine. A copy of the policy letter was provided to the CDC staff.

6. As of Dec. 3, Elmendorf has received about 2400 doses from the State of Alaska. Most of this was specifically formulated to be given to children aged 6-35 months old. We're not allowed to provide this vaccine to any other age group. Efforts are being focused on the high risk population, including people in the ages between six months and 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers, and people in close contact with infants less than 6 months old. Due to the limited vaccine available to date, medical professionals are working with the Elmendorf Child Development Center staff to delay the Air Force requirement until sufficient vaccine is available.

The vaccine has been given to over 36.8 million Americans with very few side effects. No deaths have been directly linked to the vaccine.

The vaccine is being produced by multiple manufacturers as either an inhaled form, similar to "flu-mist," or an injectable form. There are two injectable forms: single dose, prefilled syringes and multi dose vials. Only the multidose vials contain a preservative a mercury derivative called Thimersol. It has been safely used in many different vaccines including, seasonal flu, for years. All H1N1 vaccines have the same preservatives and additives that have been used in seasonal flu shots. There are no hidden substitutes. At Elmendorf, no child under four years of age has received a dose containing Thimersol. They have all received single-dose, mercury-free vaccines.

For more information, call the 3rd Medical Group Public Health clinic at 551-4000 or visit one of the related links. Additional information is also available on the CDC website (www.cdc.gov), as well as through www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov, or you can schedule an appointment with your primary care manager.