"This year the flu is more confusing than ever."

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

This year the volume of reports on the flu, both the typical seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus (commonly called Swine flu) are both higher and more confusing than ever. Here is a list of straight answers to commonly asked questions about the types of flu, vaccines available, and who is most at risk from each type of flu.

Q.- What should I be concerned about protecting myself from?
A.- This year there will be two separate types of flu. The news is full of reports about the H1N1 flu virus, commonly called the swine flu virus, which is expected to begin spreading more rapidly in the fall. Soon after that the seasonal flu will hit.

Q.- What should we be doing to prepare and protect ourselves?
A.- You should consider receiving vaccines for each of these types of flu. There will be 2 vaccines, one for H1N1 (swine) flu and one for seasonal flu.

Q.- When should I get them?
A.- The seasonal flu shots are becoming available now; if you are in a high risk group you should get yours right away. The new H1N1 (swine) fluvaccine is still being developed and tested and is expected to be available before the end of October.

Q.- How are they administered?
A.- Both vaccines will be available in the form of an injection (a shot) or as a nasal spray. The seasonal vaccine will be administered once, but the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine is expected to require 2 dose administrations, 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Q.- Who is most at risk?
A.- The risk is different for the two types of flu. Seasonal flu risk is highest for those with weakened immune systems. The Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) recommends the following priority list for seasonal flu:

1. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
2. Pregnant women
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
   • Health care workers
   • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
   • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Because H1N1 appears to be similar to another flu strain dating back to the mid 1950’s, persons over 55 years of age should have some residual immunity to H1N1. H1N1 also has a different pattern of effects, so the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following different priority listfor H1N1 (swine) flu:

1. Pregnant women, because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated
2. 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
3. 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.
4. All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
5. Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza
6. Healthy adults from 25 to 64 years old
7. The final group is adults 65 and older

If you want further information, your primary care physician and your local or state health departments are the best sources for information about when and where vaccines will be available in your area. For additional general information you can also visit the CDC Website at www.cdc.gov.