Aug. 30--Last year at this time, a pandemic featuring a new strain of influenza -- H1N1, commonly called swine flu -- and a shortage of vaccine to combat the new strain kicked up fears in Alaska and around the globe.
This month, the director general of the World Health Organization declared the swine flu pandemic over. While it killed people and made many seriously ill, it did not mutate to a more lethal form. And vaccines, though slow in being produced, worked, director general Dr. Margaret Chan said.
The swine flu virus, while not at the same level, is still part of the mix of strains expected this year.
And the Alaska Division of Public Health has just produced recommendations urging everyone over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated.
The state does not expect vaccine shortages this year, said Geraldine Yett, deputy immunization program manager.
And the swine flu vaccine will be mixed in with two other flu strains that are circulating,
So most people will need only one shot or dose of nasal spray. Some children between 6 months and 8 years old are recommended to get two doses, depending on what flu vaccines they've had in prior years.
Last year, to be fully protected, people needed two immunizations, one for regular seasonal flu and one for swine flu.
VACCINE AVAILABLE NOW
Some private pharmacies in Anchorage, such as Walgreens Drug Stores and Carrs, are already advertising that they have flu shots available.
In mid-September, the state plans to begin distributing free vaccine to public health centers, Alaska Native tribal health clinics, long-term care providers and private providers who requested it.
Those who get vaccine from the state can't charge patients for it, though they can charge an administrative fee.
Got a vaccine last year? Or actually got swine flu?
It doesn't matter, Yett said. If you want to be protected from flu this year, you should get another shot or nasal spray.
A person who gets a particular flu virus does develop antibodies against getting it again, but "as newer virus strains appear the antibodies against the older strains no longer recognize the 'newer virus,' " she said. That's the main reason people can get flu more than once.
The flu season normally peaks in January or February in the United States, Yett said. But last year sizeable numbers of swine flu cases in Anchorage showed up right at the beginning of school in August.
EARLY FLU SEASON?
Will the flu come early again this year?
The experts don't know, Yett said. "The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season," she said.
Knowing that children and teenagers were vulnerable to swine flu, the Anchorage School District last year undertook a massive campaign to vaccinate any student who had parental permission in clinics at each school.
No school clinics are planned at this time, said a school district spokeswoman.
In case vaccine supplies become limited, the federal Centers for Disease Control has developed a more extensive list of who ought to get the vaccinations first.
The list includes all Alaska Natives and American Indians, groups that were hard hit by swine flu last year. Also new on the list: severely obese people.
The list also includes children 6 months old to 4 years old; anyone over 50; people with certain diseases and health conditions such as asthma; pregnant women; health care workers; nursing home residents; and people who live with those at higher risk of severe complications.
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Find Rosemary Shinohara online at adn.com/contact/rshinohara or call her at 257-4340.
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