National Influenza Vaccination Week -- December 5-11, 2010
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.
Since the spread of 2009 H1N1 influenza is likely to continue, NIVW will be an important opportunity to promote uptake of flu vaccination at a time when demand for vaccine usually drops significantly. While influenza is unpredictable, and while we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of H1N1 influenza, we do know that if more people are vaccinated, the disease is less likely to spread in the coming months.
One of the many goals for NIVW is to engage at-risk audiences who are not yet vaccinated, hesitant about vaccination, or unsure about where to get vaccinated. Every year, certain days during NIVW are designated to highlight the importance for certain groups, like health care workers and children, to get vaccinated. This year’s national schedule is as follows:
- Sunday, December 5 -- General audience/NIVW Kickoff
- Monday, December 6 -- Family Vaccination Day
- Tuesday, December 7 -- Chronic Conditions Day
- Wednesday, December 8 -- Employee Health Day
- Thursday, December 9 -- Older Adults Vaccination Day
- Friday, December 10 -- Young Adults Vaccination Day
- Saturday, December 11 -- General audience/NIVW Wrap-Up
We hope all of our partners will plan their own NIVW events and we ask that you share your plans with us at www.flu.gov/getvaccinated.
For more information on National Influenza Vaccination Week, see this letter from Secretary Sebelius (format: PDF, size: 48 kb).
2009 Influenza Key Points and Messages -- December 29, 2009
- (New) On December 18, 2009 - MedImmune notified CDC and FDA that a potency in thirteen batches (called "lots") of nasal spray vaccine that had been distributed were later found to have dropped just below a pre-specified limit. The slight decrease in potency should not have any impact on vaccine efficacy. the manufacturer will send providers directions for returning any unused vaccine from these lots.
- (Update) On December 7, 2009 - Sonofi Pasteur notified CDC and FDA that the potency in one batch (called a "lot") of vaccine in pre-filled pediatric syringes that had been distributed was later found to have dropped below a pre-specified limit. As a result of this finding, Sanofi Pasteur tested additional lots and found that three other lots that had been distributed also had an antigen content that was later measured to be below pre-specified limits. this means that doses from these four vaccine lots no longer meet the manufacturer's specifications for potency. Sanofi Pasteur has sent providers directions for returning any unused vaccine from these lots.
- (Update) As of Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - a cumulative total of 112,617,800 doses had been made available for ordering since vaccine shipping began. Of those available doses, 89,579,000 doses were injectable (flu shots) and 23,038,800 were LAIV (nasal spary vaccine).
- (Update) Last week marked the first 100 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine available for ordering.
- (Update) As of Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - there were a total of 95,514,300 doses ordered.
- (New) Some priority groups may not be able to find thirmerosal-free H1N1 flu vaccine due to a recent recall of pre-filled, pediatric 0.25ml single-dose syringes by Sanofi Pasteur licensed for children 6-35 months old.
Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) Resources for Influenza Season
KCER provides free disaster preparedness education and tools for the kidney dialysis and transplant community. For the H1N1 flu, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities and patients should follow guidance from their dialysis provider, local ESRD Network, and general precautions issued from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local government agencies.
During the upcoming flu season, there are some specific resources on the (KCER website) that you may want to review and consider using at your dialysis facility. Please also remember the importance of the seasonal flu vaccine for dialysis patients and health care workers. Most, if not all, dialysis patients should strive to receive two flu vaccines this year -- Seasonal and H1N1.
There are many H1N1 resources at the KCER website, including ones from OSHA and the CDC: http://www.kcercoalition.com/pandemic.htm
Here are a few the KCER suggests you start with:
1. Pandemic flu planning checklist for patients and families
2. Cover your cough poster for health care settings
3. Recommendations for developing a dialysis facility pandemic flu planning checklist
4. H1N1 resource kit (also at http://www.flu.gov/h1n1/resourcekit.html
5. reimbursement for the H1N1 vaccine
You can also sign up to receive e-alerts from the CDC on the status of the H1N1 flu: http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
The KCER encourages you to stay informed this flu season!
H1N1 Flu Infection Control Guidance for Outpaient Hemodialysis Settings
May 8, 2009 -- The CDC released the following document, "Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed, Probable, or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Outpatient Hemodialysis Settings", to promote infection control standards with outpatient dialysis centers in dealing with the H1N1 Influenza Virus.
Key Facts about the H1N1 Flu (formerly called the Swine Flu)
excerpts from the CDC website
- Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus.
- Swine Flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs.
- Swine Flu viruses are NOT transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
- Human-to-human transmission of this flu virus is thought to occur in the same way as the seasonal flu: coughing, sneezing, or by touching something infected and then touching either your mouth or nose
Patient Education Materials
The Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) has developed a four-page checklist, called "PANDEMIC FLU PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND THEIR FAMILIES". All dialysis and transplant units in Network 4 are encouraged to share this, or a similiar, resource with your patient population. To download a copy from the KCER website, click the following link: http://www.kcercoalition.com/pdf/PANDEMICFLUPLANNINGCHECKLIST.pdf (format: PDF, size: 181 kb)
Prevent the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread whe n a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids (UNLESS YOU ARE A DIALYSIS PATIENT -- Always follow your doctor's instructions for fluid restrictions), and eat nutritious foods.
Resources
Official CDC Health Advisory (format: PDF, size: 33 kb) - Investigation and Interim Recommendations for Swine Influenza (H1N1)
Swine Influenza: General Information (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm)
Swine Influenza: Key Facts (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm)
Outbreak Notice: Swine Influenza in the United States (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx)
Pandemic Influenza: Guide for Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (format: PDF, size: 5 mb) - From Homeland Security - Preparedness, Response and Recovery
