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Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccines
Questions and Answers for Businesses

October 19, 2009, 10:30 AM ET

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year in the United States, on average more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. This flu season could be worse. There is a new and very different flu virus spreading worldwide among people called 2009 H1N1 flu. This virus may cause more illness or more severe illness than usual. During the 2009-2010 flu season, we expect both seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu to circulate.  CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.

Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu?

The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine now.

Can the seasonal vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?

Seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day. Two shots can be given, each in a different place on the body, or a shot and a nasal spray vaccine can be given.  Getting a nasal spray vaccine for 2009 H1N1 and nasal spray for seasonal flu at the same time is not recommended. 

Where will the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine be available?

Every state has developed a 2009 H1N1 vaccine delivery plan. Vaccine will be available in a variety of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools, occupational health clinics, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces.  Additional information is available in the Flu Clinic Locator at http://www.flu.gov/.

How can I contact my state health department?

CDC maintains a website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/states.htm) with links to all of the state health departments. Additional state contact information related to 2009 H1N1 flu can be found on those websites.

What information should I give my employees regarding vaccination?

1. Encourage workers to obtain a seasonal influenza vaccine, if it is appropriate for them according to CDC recommendations (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm). This helps to prevent illness from seasonal influenza strains that may circulate at the same time as the 2009 H1N1 flu.
2. Encourage employees to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available according to CDC recommendations. Consider granting employees time off from work to get vaccinated when the vaccine is available in your community.

Who will be recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people 25 through 64 years of age who have certain high risk medical conditions.

We do not expect that there will be a shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. Initially the vaccine may be available in limited quantities. In this setting, the committee recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: 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, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have certain high risk medical conditions.

The committee 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 target 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 age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65

As a business owner, how can I order vaccine for my employees?

Businesses that would like to receive vaccine for their employees should contact their state health department (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/states.htm provides links to state websites).

I am an owner/operator of a multi-state corporation; can I request my vaccine directly from the federal government and prevent the need for my company to reach out to state health departments individually?

No.  Vaccine is allocated to states on a pro rata basis (i.e., according to population size) for distribution and dispensing according to state influenza plans. Corporations may not receive medical countermeasures (including vaccines and antivirals) directly from the federal government. Medical countermeasures are provided to the states. States then work with the stakeholders in their jurisdictions to determine the best strategies for distribution and dispensing of medical countermeasures.