Vaccinating children at high risk for H1N1 influenza

The CDC has released the latest statistics (as of 7/31/09) on who is getting sick and being hospitalized with H1N1 (Swine) flu. This data shows a striking difference between those getting sick with seasonal influenza and those getting sick with H1N1 influenza. As a result of this sort of data analysis, the CDC is able to determine which groups of people should receive the new H1N1 vaccine that should be available by mid-October.

The median age of those people with laboratory confirmed H1N1 influenza virus is 12 years of age. This means that of all the people with confirmed infections, exactly one half were under 12 years old. The highest incidence of infection occurred in the 5-24 age group with the fewest infections among those 65 and older. 

• Median age of lab confirmed H1N1                  20 yo
• Median age of deaths r/t H1N1             37 yo
• Highest incidence of infection H1N1                  5-24 yo
• Highest incidence of hospitalization                    <4 yo

Only 5% of hospitalizations due to H1N1 influenza virus occurred in those 65 or older and only 8% of deaths occurred in those 65 or older.

Given this important data from the CDC, it’s important to ensure that children receive the H1N1 vaccine when available as well as the 4 other groups listed by the CDC:

• pregnant women
• those with underlying chronic illnesses who are between 25-64
• those who live with or take care of infants and
• health care workers who are more likely to come in contact with and transmit the H1N1 flu virus to those who are immunocompromised.