Seasonal flu vaccine coming early

The annual seasonal flu vaccine is coming early this year, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials say that it is a good idea to get it soon, before the expected rush for the new pandemic H1N1 flu vaccine.

The pandemic vaccine, which is still under development, is likely to keep local health departments, clinics and retail vaccinators busier than ever once it arrives in Kansas by October. The seasonal flu vaccine, usually given in the fall, is already coming into Kansas and will soon be available in large quantities, according to KDHE.

"The seasonal flu vaccination will not provide protection against H1N1," KDHE Health Division Director and State Health Officer Jason Eberhart-Phillips said. "Separate vaccinations will be needed in order to be fully protected this flu season."

Vaccination against seasonal flu can begin as soon as vaccine is available later this month or in September. The goal for individuals -- especially those at high risk of developing complications from influenza -- is to receive a seasonal flu vaccination before influenza activity is taking place in the community, according to Eberhart-Phillips.

"The sooner that people receive their seasonal flu vaccination, the better," he said. "Regardless of how early individuals receive the vaccination, they will have protection from seasonal flu throughout the season."

At this time, clinical trials for H1N1 vaccine are underway, with plans for the vaccine to be available in Kansas sometime in October or possibly sooner, according to KDHE.

If approved, the H1N1 vaccine will intially be made available to individuals in certain groups, as determined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These groups have been identified as having the highest risk of having severe illness with the H1N1 virus. Depending upon the initial availability of the vaccine, further prioritization may have to be done within these initial groups.

The following groups have been identified in the guidance:

* Pregnant women.

* Household contacts and caregivers of infants youngre than 6 months of age.

* All children and young adults between 6 months and 24 years of age.

* Healthcare personnel.

* People between 25-64 years of age with high-risk medical conditions.

"The amount of H1N1 vaccine that will be available at first is not currently known," Eberhart-Phillips said. "Even if you are considered at high risk, it could take some time before you are able to be vaccinated."

Eberhart-Phillips added that the seasonal vaccine will probably be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccination to protect against H1N1 flu, if approved, could require two shots to be administered, possibly at least 21 days apart. The seasonal flu vaccine could therefore be administered during the same visit that someone receive a dose of the vaccine for H1N1, if that becomes necessary, according to KDHE.

KDHE is currently working to identify private health care providers who can assist local health departments with administering H1N1 vaccine to patients.

Cases of H1N1 flu have now been confirmed in 49 Kansas counties. As is typically the case with almost any infectious disease, it is generally believed that unreported cases of H1N1 are also occurring elsewhere in the state.