• pregnant women
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact
• children 6 months through 4 years of age
• children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions

CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recognized the need to assess supply and demand issues at the local level.  The committee further recommended that once the demand for vaccine for these prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years.  Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups.  Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger are groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65.

3.  When will the vaccine be available?
The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall.  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.

4.  Will there be clinics set up at the health departments?
The health departments are working with the providers from each priority population to determine the best location to hold an H1N1 vaccination clinic.  The clinic dates and times will be announced in each county.

5. Is the vaccine a one time vaccine?
The vaccine is expected to be a two dose vaccine.  After the first dose, a second dose 21-28 days later.

6.  What if I live in one county, but work in another county?
Contact your county local health department, in the county where you reside in, to determine where to receive the vaccination.

7.  Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the novel H1N1 flu?
No, the seasonal flu vaccine is not anticipated to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.

8.  Can the seasonal vaccine and the novel H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?
Yes, it is anticipated that seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day.  However, we expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1n1 vaccine.  The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter.  Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

9.  Are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness?

10.  Will the H1N1 vaccine be mandatory?
No, the H1N1 vaccine is not amnadatory vaccine.  CDC and ACIP (The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which provides advice and guidance on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases) will make recommendations for who should receive H1N1 vaccine, and state and local health departments and institutions will determine how to implement these recommendations.  If the vaccine is recommended for use, those who choose vaccination for themselves or their children will be screened for contraindications to vaccination (such as an allergy to eggs) and will receive information sheets describing the vaccine's risks and benefits, possible adverse events associated with vaccination, and how to report these events.

11.  How does novel H1N1 spread?
Spread of H1N1 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.

12.  What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of 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.

13.  How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal flu adn H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after.  This can be longer in some people, especially children adn people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

14.  What about the use of antivirals to treat H1N1 infections?
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.  If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster.  They may also prevent serious flu complications.  This fall, antivirals may be prioritized for persons with severe illness of those at higher risk for flu complications.

15.  Where can I find more information on the H1N1 virus and vaccine?

www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
www.dhss.mo.gov/BT Response/ H1N1flu