Who should get novel H1N1 influenza vaccine?

The following groups have the highest priority:

1. Pregnant women
2. Household members and caregivers of babies <6 months old.
3. Healthcare and emergencey service workers who have exposure risk.
4. Children aged 6 months to 4 years old
5. Childrens aged 5-18 with medical conditions that put them at risk for influenza complications.
   Asthma and other chronic lung conditions, heart disease, kidney, liver, brain, neuromuscular, blood, metabolic conditions, including diabetes, and immunosuppression.

If there is sufficient vaccine supply, the next priority is to vaccinate:

1. Other children and young adults up to age 24,
2. Adults 25-64 who have the above health conditions.

We do not believe that seniors will need this vaccine. The risk of getting novel flu in this age group is about 20% of the regular seasonal vaccine, and seniors do not seem to get as sick. We do think all seniors should get the seasonal flu vaccine from a pharmacy as soon as possible. The clinic will no longer have seasonal flu vaccine available when our current small stock is used up, and all patients will be directed to obtain the seasonal flu vaccine elsewhere.

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