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High-risk groups to get the H1N1 vaccine first
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Nov 6, 2009 13:35 UTC
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PHILIPSBURG - The Preventive Health Department (PHD) says it is making preparations to receive its first batch of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine which will be administered to high-risk groups first.
According to guidelines from the Netherlands Antilles Influenza A (H1N1) Protocol, all women who are in their last six months of pregnancy or second trimester – from their fourth month onwards – will be called to be vaccinated.
There is consistent evidence from available international medical data that pregnant women are at increased risk for complications as a consequence of H1N1, even in the absence of known risk factors.
Vaccination in the first three months of pregnancy is discouraged because there is insufficient data and risk to the child cannot be ruled out on theoretical grounds.
Others at risk are persons with pulmonary disease, asthma (when maintenance medication is given – this also holds true for children), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), carcinoma of the lung, anthracosilicosis, lung fibrosis, mucoviscidosis, severe kyfoscoliosis, status after resection of a lung and breathing difficulties.
Also in the risk group are persons with cardiac disease, having experienced myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, valve dysfunction or cardiac failure; persons with diabetes mellitus, even if not on medication; persons with chronic kidney disease/failure, on dialysis or with a kidney transplant; persons who have had a recent bone marrow transplant; HIV positive persons and persons with an intellectual disability in an intramural setting.
Other risk groups include persons with diminished resistance to infection, due to liver cirrhosis, (functional) asplenia, auto-immune illnesses, chemotherapy or immunosuppressive medication, and those over age 60.
PHD said front-line workers would be vaccinated against H1N1, as well as health care workers who might be in contact with patients in medical risk groups (nursing home, senior citizen home, hospital, outpatient clinic, general practitioner office and specialist office personnel).
Home care givers of people at very high risk for severe illness and mortality due to this flu will also be vaccinated.
According to the department, it has been proposed by the Dutch Health Council and the Royal Institute for Public Health and the Environment that persons receive two H1N1 vaccinations.
Besides vaccination against H1N1, vaccination against seasonal flu remains important. Those who would normally receive yearly seasonal flu shots should still do so.
Members of the community are still strongly advised to maintain high standards of personal hygiene – covering one’s nose and mouth with a tissue when one sneezes or coughs, and washing one’s hands frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., after sneezing and coughing).
The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to those of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with the virus.
Persons who have flu-like illness should remain at home and are advised to contact their family physician via telephone to determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
Persons who have travelled in the preceding seven days to affected countries should seek immediate medical attention once they develop influenza-like symptoms. They too are advised to stay at home and to contact their family physician. This will help minimise the risk of infecting others, especially people who are at higher risk of severe illness and complications from influenza.
The public is urged to exercise caution in travelling to affected areas. In the event that travel is unavoidable, it is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times. Other preventive measures are eating healthy foods, getting a lot of exercise and maintaining an eight-hour sleep schedule.
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