H1N1 Influenza (aka swine flu, or swine-origin influenza virus, SOIV)
H1N1 is a flu virus first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. H1N1 spreads from person-to-person, in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Given the widely publicized national vaccine production challenges and resulting limited supply, Harvard Vanguard has only received enough H1N1 vaccine to vaccinate approximately 15 percent of Harvard Vanguard's total 400,000 patients. Based on the H1N1 vaccine we have received to date, Harvard Vanguard has been able to complete initial outreach for a single dose of H1N1 to all our pediatric patients 18 years old and below; pregnant patients; and parents and siblings of pediatric patients under the age of 6 months old.
As of December 17, 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced that it is lifting all restrictions on H1N1 in order to make it available to all residents of Massachusetts who may be interested in receiving the vaccine. Massachusetts now joins more than 24 states that have already lifted restrictions on H1N1 to ensure that as many people as possible can be vaccinated. we currently have a limited supply of various formulations of H1N1 and will be accommodating patients who wish to be vaccinated on a first come, first serve basis as vaccine supply and appointment slots are available. If you wish to schedule an appointment for an H1N1 vaccination, please call your Harvard Vanguard practice site.
Lastly, while MDPH and CDC have indicated that H1N1 illness levels both locally and nationally are somewhat decreasing, we want to recommend to our patients in high-risk categories that they still get the H1N1 vaccine. This is because it is possible that a third wave of H1N1 illness may occur over this winter or some time next year. Also, this H1N1 strain of virus will likely become one component in future trivalent seasonal flu vaccines. Getting immunized now will help patients become immune sooner and develop higher levels of immunity in response to future seasonal vaccines.