H1N1 Frequently Asked Questions
1. With the ongoing discussion on shortage of flu shots, will the DoD have a priority for the vaccine?
DoD will be getting vaccine at the same time as the highest priority groups, as determined by Health and Human Services.
2. Will DoD get its vaccine from the manufacturers?
DoD is purchasing it own supply of vaccine through Health and Human Services to meet military operational requirements.
3. How many doses of vaccine is DoD purchasing?
2.7 million doses
4. How many doses will each individual be required to take?
One dose is required for those 10 years of age and older and 2 doses for those under 10.
5. Will TRICARE cover the cost of the vaccine?
TRICARE Prime, Standard and Extra beneficiaries can get their shots from network and non-network providers without paying a deductible or making a co-payment. A temporary waiver allows non-active duty TRICARE Prime enrollees to get the H1N1 immunization from non-network providers without a referral or authorization, eliminating point-of-service charges. Prime enrollees will not be charged a co-payment or cost share. This waiver does not apply to the seasonal flu vaccine.
6. Where can I get more information about TRICARE coverage of H1N1?
TRICARE-specific H1N1 information can be found at http://www.tricare.mil/flu/.
7. Who will DoD be administering the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine to?
All active duty service members, and activated Reserve and National Guard members will receive their H1N1 vaccine from DoD.
8. Will there be a priority list within the military?
Any place where we take people and cluster them pretty tightly and put them under stressful conditions, those are the people we want to protect first because they are subject to the highest rates of transmission. These include, those deployed, large training venues, personnel aboard ships and healthcare workers.
9. Are dependents accounted for in the 2.7 million doses of NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine?
Military dependents will receive the vaccine under a separate distribution program managed by Health and Human Services through supplies allocated to states based on population data. This vaccine will be provided to DoD through this system for its enrolled population.
10. Will military treatment facilities be administering Novel Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine to retirees?
TRICARE-eligible retirees should check with their local MTF for vaccine availability.
11. What is the target group for receiving the vaccine?
The target groups for the general population recommended by the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) are:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
- people ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk for novel NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
12. Will the vaccine contain squalene?
At this time, there is not a requirement to put an adjuvant, which would contain squalene, into the vaccine.
13. When will the vaccine be available?
DoD received its initial doses of H1N1 vaccine during the last week of October 2009.
14. What can individuals do to prevent the spread of infection?
Individuals can practice these simple procedures:
- Hand washing with soap and warm or hot water; cold water is not as effective for killing germs.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your nose or mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Those with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work, school or social gatherings.
15. Why is NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 virus sometimes called "swine flu"?
This virus was originally referred to as "swine flu" because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, some from the North America swine, birds and human influenza genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.
16. How does the NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 virus spread?
Spread of the NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something such as a surface or object with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
17. What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of the NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
18. How severe is illness associated with the NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 flu virus?
Illness with the NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
In seasonal flu, certain people are at high risk of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at high risk of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
19. How does NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates?
With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.
When the NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 outbreak was first detected in mid-April 2009, CDC began working with states to collect, compile and analyze information regarding the novel NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 flu outbreak, including the numbers of confirmed and probable cases and the ages of these people. The information analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.
20. What other important actions can people take?
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Follow your unit/organizational guidelines if you get sick.
- Be prepared in case you get sick to have a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs,* tissues and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious
21. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner*. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
22. What are the emergency warning signals?
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
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