Written By Kassie the Eco-Pharmacist. On Oct 05. In Health and Wellness

You may be wondering if you should get the H1N1 vaccine… read the recommendations below:

ACIP recommends the vaccination of all persons against H1N1 influenza virus. While
vaccine is limited (check with the state immunization program for updates)
administration is to be targeted to the following priority groups:
• Healthy persons 2–24 years of age
• Healthy persons 25–49 years of age who live with or care for infants ≤6 months, or
are health care or emergency medical personnel.
As more vaccine becomes available, other healthy 25–49 year olds should also be
vaccinated.

III. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE of Live Influenza A (H1N1):
A. Vaccination with H1N1/LAIV is indicated for healthy, non-pregnant persons
2–49 years of age who do not have one of the following disqualifiers:
Persons who SHOULD NOT RECEIVE H1N1/LAIV
o Persons <2 years or ≥50 years of age;1
o Children aged 2–4 years whose parents or caregivers report that a
health-care provider has told them during the preceding 12 months
that their child had wheezing or asthma, or whose medical record
indicates a wheezing episode has occurred during the preceding 12
months;1
o Persons with asthma, reactive airway disease, chronic disorders of
the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems; metabolic diseases such as
diabetes, renal dysfunction and hemoglobinopathies;1
o Persons with known or suspected immunodeficiency diseases (e.g.
HIV infection, malignancy, leukemia, lymphoma, aglobulinemia, and
thymic abnormalities) or who are receiving immunosuppressive
therapies;1
o Children or adolescents receiving aspirin or salicylates (because of
the association of Reye syndrome with wild-type influenza virus
infection);
o Persons with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome;2
o Pregnant women;1
o Persons who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal
cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders)
that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of
respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration;1
o Persons with a history of hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, to
any of the components of LAIV or to eggs; or
o Household members of and HCWs who have close contact with
severely immunosuppressed persons (e.g., patients with
hematopoietic stem cell transplants) requiring care in a protected
environment1;
1These persons should receive inactivated influenza vaccine.
2These persons could receive inactivated influenza vaccine