The Nebraska Medical Center is making preparations for the upcoming influenza season. As always, vaccination for all persons, unless vaccination is contraindicated (children less than 6 months of age, persons with allergies to eggs) is encouraged.
Early vaccination is recommended for high-risk patients, health care workers (HCWs) who care for high-risk patients, and persons who live with or care for patients at high risk (High risk people are those greater than 65 years of age; children aged 6- to 59 months; pregnant women; persons of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and caregivers of children aged 0-59 months (CDC, MMWR 55;RR10,2006)).
Since a vaccine shortage is not anticipated this year, the tiered system used in previous years is not necessary. However, if unforeseen circumstances develop, appropriate actions will be taken to ensure vaccine delivery to high risk persons.
Patients and staff can be vaccinated via the following routes:
Staff:
As in previous years, vaccine is provided free of charge to all employees. Vaccine will be distributed to all patient care areas for administration to staff in those areas in early October. Staff can also receive vaccine at the following open clinics:
- Monday, Oct. 30 – 7 to 9 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. in Private Dining Room B
- Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 7 to 9 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. in Storz 6
- Tuesday, Nov. 7 – 7 to 9 a.m. in Private Dining Room B and 1 to 3 p.m. in Storz 6
Patients:
The Nebraska Medical Center will have influenza vaccine available at the following locations:
- The Nebraska Medical Center Inpatient Care Areas and Outpatient Clinics,
- UNMC Physicians Clinics,
- Durham Outpatient Center and
- The Lied Treatment Center.
Patients and staff can receive vaccine any time during the flu season as long as vaccine is available. If the flu season appears earlier than usual, efforts will be made to get vaccine distributed as quickly as possible.
The live attenuated flu vaccine (LAIV, intranasal vaccine, FluMistTM) will not be stocked for routine administration to staff. Note that LAIV is FDA approved for healthy persons aged 5 to 49. Because there is a small risk of person-to-person spread of live virus from LAIV, it is not recommended for immunosuppressed patients in protective environments or the HCWs caring for them (OHSCU).
Additional information:
1. The trivalent influenza vaccine recommended for the 2006-2007 season will include A/New Caledonia/20/1999 (H1N1)-like, A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like, and B/Malasia/2506/2004-like antigens. The vaccine is produced from inactivated virus (noninfectious).
2. Because the vaccine viruses are initially grown in embryonic hen’s eggs, the vaccine may contain small amounts of egg protein. Therefore, persons with allergic reactions to eggs should not receive vaccine.
3. Persons with acute febrile illness should not receive vaccine until their symptoms have abated.
4. The vaccine is approximately 70 percent to 90 percent effective in preventing influenza illness and has been shown to be cost effective.
5. The CDC recommends that flu vaccine should be administered to any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza. The vaccine can be administered to children as young as age 6 months.
6. Information regarding influenza, influenza vaccine, and influenza treatment can be found at the following Web sites:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — release on “Prevention and Control of Influenza”
- CDC Web site — general flu facts for the public and health professionals
As additional information becomes available, updates will be submitted to UNMC Today. If you have any questions, contact The Nebraska Medical Center Department of Pharmacy (559-6041) or the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology (559-5276).