Who should get the H1N1 vaccine?
The latest information provided to the area Health Departments says that the following groups of people are the the first who should get this vaccine:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts of infants less than six months old
• Children from six months to 24 years old
• Adults from 25 to 64 years old if they chronic medical conditions
• Medical care providers

There is no rank or order in this listing. Until early November, a more stringent priority listing was used due to limited vaccine supplies; however, due to increased vaccine availability, we are now able to use this priority listing.

This information may change as the situation develops.

Who decides this?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes these priority list as they receive them from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of 15 medical professionals who are considered experts in the field of immunization.

Senior citizens are regularly told to get flu vaccines; why are they not listed?
With the regular seasonal flu, senior citizens are one of the groups that are at a much higher risk of being infected and getting sick. Most of the deaths from influenza each year in the United States are senior citizens. With H1N1, this has not been the case.

Senior citizens so far have for the most part not been personally affected by H1N1. It appears that those over the age of 50 have some immunity to H1N1 from past exposure to other, similar influenza viruses.

It also appears as if this virus targets younger people, rather than the usual groups that seasonal flu affects. If this begins to change, the recommendations will change.

Where can I get the H1N1 vaccine?
The Health Department has scheduled regular H1N1 vaccination clinics on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m. while supplies last. Vaccine is arriving at least once a week.

H1N1 vaccine is also being regularly delivered to over 115 medical providers in Kansas City who have requested to participate in the vaccine distribution process. Contact your regular medical provider to check on vaccine availability, or call the Health Department at (816) 513-6108.

Where can I find more information about H1N1 and the vaccine?
The most up-to-date information can be found at flu.gov, a Web site set up by the federal government with input from the Department of Homeland Security, the Health and Human Services, and the CDC.

Information will also be made available at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Web page. General information that is very easy to read may be found at the grass roots Fight the Flu MO Web site. More local information will be available at preparemetrokc.org.