August 25, 2009

by: rferraro @ 8:36 am

The Novel H1N1 (formerly known as the Swine Flu) Flu Vaccine is still undergoing clinical trials. However, the CDC has recently announced that the first licensed Novel H1N1 vaccine should be available by mid October.

Their policy regarding H1N1 vaccine is to target 5 risk groups and to vaccinate as many of those people falling into those risk groups as quickly as possible.

“Vaccination efforts should begin as soon as vaccine is available. Highlights of these recommendations include 1) the identification of five initial target groups for vaccination efforts (pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, children and young adults aged 6 months--24 years, and persons aged 25--64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications)"

To read the entire report –CICK HERE

August 24, 2009

by: rferraro @ 3:29 pm

The Hopkinton Drug will hold its first Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic on Wednesday, September 30th from 10am to 6pm. We have three Trained and Certified Immunizing Pharmacists on Staff to administer the vaccine.

The Hopkinton Drug has secured a supply of the Flu Vaccine, however, many suppliers are already out of the vaccine. We would recommend that everyone who wants the flu shot, or are at risk of getting the flu, get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.

No Prescription is required, and we will accept Cash, Check or Credit card. The Flu shot will be given at no charge to patients who present a valid ‘Medicare PART B’ Beneficiary Card. We are limited, by state law, to giving the vaccine to persons 18 years of age and older.

The clinic will be held in our Pharmacy Department at the Hopkinton Drug Inc. 52 Main St. Hopkinton MA 01748. If you have any questions please call 508-435-4441

From the CDC Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

Influenza is a serious disease, and people of any age can get it. In an average year, the flu causes 36,000 deaths (mostly among those aged 65 years or older) and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States. The “flu season” in the United States is usually from November through April each year. During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu and lessen the chance that you will transmit to others.

August 17, 2009

by: rferraro @ 4:48 pm

Questions and answers about the Novel H1N1 Flu posted by the CDC

What is novel H1N1 (swine flu)?

Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.

Why is novel H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.

How does novel H1N1 virus spread?

Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

The symptoms of novel 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. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?

People infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

August 7, 2009

by: rferraro @ 2:44 pm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of December 6-12, 2009, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This event is designed to highlight the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as encourage people to get vaccinated through the months of December, January and beyond.

by: rferraro @ 10:48 am

Update from the CDC, August 5, 2009

CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

This is a change from the previous recommendation that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer.

This new recommendation applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings, and other community settings where the majority of people are not at increased risk for influenza complications.

The new recommendation does not apply to health care settings where the exclusion period should be continued for 7 days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer

August 5, 2009

by: rferraro @ 3:44 pm

The Centers for Disease Control has stated that Clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccines will begin late August and continue into October. The estimated time for release of the vaccine has not yet been finalized, but in light of the trials starting late summer, I wouldn’t expect the vaccine to be available until late November or early December. Which is well past the predicted start for the H1N1 flu season.

The CDC has hinted that the vaccine will be a 2 shot series, and that the novel H1N1 vaccines WILL NOT provide coverage against the 2009 – 2010 Seasonal Flu.

August 3, 2009

by: rferraro @ 3:26 pm

How serious is influenza? Although many people think of influenza as a type of cold, it is really a specific and serious disease. Disease complications and death are more common among young children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. An average of 36,000 influenza associated deaths per year occurred during 1990-1999. Influenza viruses cause disease among persons of all ages. Risk for influenza-associated death is highest among the oldest elderly: persons age 85 years and older are 16 times more likely to die from an influenza-associated illness than persons aged 65-69 years. Occasionally, major epidemics occur on an international scale. This is known as a pandemic.

The best way to prevent influenza is with annual vaccination!

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

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