The Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) was all over the news this year, and is still around. Now, health experts are concerned that a second wave is occurring as kids head back to school.

The Food and Drug Administration announced that approximately 160 million doses of a Swine Flu vaccine should be ready by October. And who will get the vaccine first? The CDC has named priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

As for vaccinating seniors, it’s important to know that there’s not expected to be a shortage of the vaccine, but current studies have shown that that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. As a matter of fact, it’s thought that as many as one-third of the American population over 60 has some antibodies to the H1N1 flu strain. Still, experts stress that seniors should be given the vaccination as soon as the priority groups are completed.

Though the H1N1 vaccine priorities seem counterintuitive since we are used to seniors being among the most vulnerable populations, that doesn’t mean seniors shouldn’t take precautions to avoid both the H1N1 and seasonal flu. Common precautions include: hand washing, avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes, avoiding sick people. It’s also important to get proper rest, nutrition and exercise to maintain a strong immune system.

Remember that the H1N1 or Swine Flu vaccine is not the same as the seasonal flu vaccine and you still need to receive that as directed by your health care provider. Be sure to ask them any questions you may have about the H1N1 vaccine.

For more information, visit the CDC’s H1N1 flu website.