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Welcome To The HDI (Hopkinton Drug Inc.) Flu Blog !
Influenza (the "flu") can be a very serious disease. Even healthy adults can get sick. If you get the flu, you can spread it to family, friends, or co-workers.
The intent of this blog is to provide up to date information about Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) from various sources, in easy to understand language. We will also include links for Flu information at Government agencies and Medical organizations. We hope the information provided here will help you to "Not Get the Flu..Not Spread the Flu, and to Get Vaccinated"
July 30, 2009
by: rferraro @ 9:32 am
The groups that will most be affected by the H1N1 (Swine) Flu are pregnant women as well as children and young adults from ages 6 mos to 24 years. This is very different from the seasonal flu which affects mostly people over 50 years old.
“On July 29, 2009, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—an advisory committee to CDC—recommended that novel H1N1 flu vaccine be made available first to the following five groups:
-Pregnant women
-Health care workers and emergency medical responders
-People caring for infants under 6 months of age
-Children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years
-People aged 25 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
Combined, these groups would equal approximately 159 million individuals.”
July 28, 2009
by: rferraro @ 10:41 am
Families Fighting Flu (FFF) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization made up of parents who have all lost a child to the flu. FFF is dedicated to educating people about the severity of influenza and the importance of vaccinating children against the flu every year.
On a personal note, as a healthcare professional and as a grandparent- ~ Protecting my grandson is more than enough reason to encourage everyone in my family to get a flu shot!
FFF recommends the following steps to help protect your children from Seasonal and Swine (H1N1) flu.
1. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. You can even teach children to cough into their elbows.
2. Stressing the importance of washing hands with soap and water. Any alcohol-based hand cleansers are effective as well.
3. Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces with an appropriate bleach-based solution. As you know, germs can spread by touching infected surfaces and then your face.
And we would add to the list that everyone in the family who is a eligible for a flu shot, should get vaccinated – in order to protect your children from this serious disease!
CLICK HERE to visit their website.
July 27, 2009
by: rferraro @ 3:06 pm
FDA Approves Vaccine for 2009-2010 Seasonal Influenza
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it has approved a vaccine for 2009-2010 seasonal influenza in the United States.
The seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus that resulted in the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 11, 2009. The FDA continues to work with manufacturers, international partners and other government agencies to facilitate the availability of a safe and effective vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
Although this year’s seasonal vaccine is directed against other strains of influenza expected to be circulating and will not provide protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, it is still important for those Americans for whom it is recommended to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. No vaccine is 100 percent effective against preventing disease, but vaccination is the best protection against influenza and can prevent many illnesses and deaths.
Based on those forecasts and on the recommendations of the FDA’s Vaccine and Related Products Advisory Committee, the FDA determines the three strains that manufacturers should include in their vaccines for the U.S. population. The closer the match between the circulating strains and the strains in the vaccine, the better the protection against the disease.
The vaccine for the 2009-2010 seasonal influenza contains:
an A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus
an A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus
a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
CLICK HERE for the entire news release from the FDA
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web Page with Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
by: rferraro @ 8:58 am
On July 21, 2009 the US department of Health and Human Services answered some common questions about the novel H1N1 Flu (formerly know as the Swine Flu)-
Q. When is it expected that the novel H1N1 vaccine will be available?
“The novel H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials”
Q. Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the novel H1N1 flu?
“The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.”
Q. Can the seasonal vaccine and the novel H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?
“Clinical trial results will be necessary to confirm that novel H1N1 and seasonal vaccine will be safe and effective if given at the same time. We expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.”
Q. Where will the vaccine be available?
“Every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan. Vaccine will be available in a combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces.”
Q. Are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness?
“Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
-Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.-Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. These measures will continue to be important after a novel H1N1 vaccine is available because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory infections.”
Q. What about the use of antivirals to treat novel H1N1 infection?
“Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. This fall, antivirals may be prioritized for persons with severe illness or those at higher risk for flu complications.”
For the full version of the article CLICK HERE
by: rferraro @ 8:38 am
This article gives the results of a survey by the Harvard School of public Health-
July 16, 2009
Boston, MA–As part of a series about Americans’ response to the H1N1 flu outbreak, the Harvard Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health is releasing a national poll that focuses on Americans’ views and concerns about the potential for a more severe outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) in the fall or winter. The polling was done June 22-28, 2009.
To read the entire article CLICK HERE
July 24, 2009
by: rferraro @ 3:34 pm
President Obama designates $1.825 billion emergency funds to combat H1N1 threat- Click Here to read that Press Release
On Monday July 20th the FDA approved this years Seasonal Flu Vaccine, emphasizing that this vaccine WILL NOT provide protection against the H1N1 Swine Flu, however it is still important for those Americans for whom it is recommended to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Click here to read the FDA report
July 15, 2009
by: rferraro @ 12:17 pm
First and foremost ~ GET VACCINATED !
You can reduce your risk of being infected with influenza by getting an annual influenza vaccination. By getting an annual influenza vaccination you’ll be helping to protect yourself — and the many people you come into contact with every day.
Then follow these simple guidelines to protect yourself and others;
-Avoid close contact with people who are sick
-If you are sick, avoid contact with others. Stay home from work or school, and avoid running errands if possible
-Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (and teach children to do the same)
-Wash your hands often to remove viruses and germs. You can pick up the influenza virus by touching something that someone with the flu has already touched. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands
July 10, 2009
by: rferraro @ 4:05 pm
Recently the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the AMA (American Medical Association) got together for an “Influenza Summit 2009″. They discussed their strategies about a continued outbreak of the Swine flu for the fall of 2009.
- The summit emphasized that the Seasonal Flu Vaccine will not provide protection against the Swine Flu. They are two totally different vaccines!
- The Swine Flu vaccine will be a series of 2 shots. It is very important that the patient return for the 2nd scheduled shot to ensure protection against the swine flu.
- The supply of Seasonal Flu Vaccine will NOT be affected by the production of the Swine Flu Vaccine. The producers of the Seasonal Flu Vaccine have already geared their industry to provide both vaccines.
- It is not yet known if Both Vaccines can be administered on the same day. This is still under investigation. They are, however, recommending that people get both vaccines this fall.