OUTREACH TO PERSONS WITH ASTHMA ABOUT 2009 H1N1 RISKS
OUTREACH TO PERSONS WITH ASTHMA ABOUT 2009 H1N1 RISKS AND PREVENTION
(From CDC – APRHB, January 11, 2010)
·Overall, flu activity in the United States decreased slightly during the week of December 27, 2009 - January 2, 2010, as reported in FluView. Though flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, it is expected to continue for several more months.
·CDC recommends a three-step approach to fighting the flu:
ovaccination;
oeveryday preventive actions, including covering coughs and sneezes, frequent hand washing, and staying home when sick;
oand the correct use of antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.
·There is no way to accurately predict the course of influenza epidemics. Right now is a window of opportunity for more people to get vaccinated for 2009 H1N1 flu. Supplies of 2009 H1N1 vaccine are increasing and many places have opened up vaccination to anyone who wants it.
·It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat flu in people who are very sick (for example people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications, like people with asthma or diabetes or women who are pregnant.
2009 H1N1 and Asthma
·People with asthma need to have their asthma well controlled and should have an updated asthma action plan. Medication to control asthma (usually inhaled corticosteroids) should be used as prescribed by each patient’s health care provider. If your child has asthma, make sure that his or her updated, written Asthma Action Plan is on file at school or at the daycare center. Be sure that the plan and medication(s) are easy to get to when needed.
·Because people with asthma are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications, they should seek treatment promptly when ill with either influenza like illness (ILI) or an asthma exacerbation.
·Persons with asthma should not use the inhaled “FluMist®” vaccine.
National Influenza Vaccination Week Key Messages
Overarching Messages
·This season’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is January 10-16, 2010.
·NIVW is a national observance that was established in 2006 to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.
·We are fortunate that flu activity has declined in recent weeks. However, flu activity is expected to continue for months, caused by either 2009 H1N1 viruses or regular seasonal flu viruses.
·Since 2009 H1N1 disease is likely to continue into the new year, NIVW is an important opportunity to maintain or increase the uptake of vaccination against 2009 H1N1 flu.
·Over 60 million Americans have already safely received the vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu.
·All data coming into CDC’s vaccine safety surveillance systems continue to affirm that the vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu is safe.
·At the same time, CDC, FDA, and our partners, continue to rigorously monitor the safety of the vaccine against 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine.
·Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. Find locations in your area where the vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu is being given by visiting www.flu.gov.
General Audience Messages
·A vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 virus has been produced and is the best way to protect against the virus. Supplies of this vaccine have increased substantially and many places have opened up vaccination to anyone who wants it.
·Because 2009 H1N1 may cause disease for months to come, now is a great opportunity for more people to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 flu.
·Being vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 flu not only protects you, but it helps protect the people around you. If you get the flu you can pass it to others including babies, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions who are more likely to suffer serious complications.
·Encouraging everyone to get vaccinated can also help motivate people with chronic health conditions and their family members to get vaccinated to protect those at higher risk of complications.
Messages for People with Chronic Health Conditions
·The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu. Persons with chronic medical conditions who think they have flu should call their doctor to see if they need antiviral treatment.
·Although people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk of severe complications from influenza, including hospitalization and death, many people in these groups do not realize that their medical conditions increase their risk.
·If you have a chronic health condition and have not received your vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu yet, get one now.
Messages for Parents and Caregivers of Children and Adolescents
·If a child has an underlying health condition like asthma, a neurological disorder or diabetes, they are at high risk for flu-related complications and should be vaccinated.
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