Lumetra Healthcare Solutions

“A person can develop La Grippe”

–‘Adelaide’s Lament’ from Guys and Dolls

August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month, with the worthy goal of increasing awareness about immunizations across all ages, from infants to the elderly. And it’s the right time for everyone to catch up on his or her vaccinations. Children are enrolling in school; young adults are entering college, and healthcare workers are getting ready for the upcoming influenza season.

Immunizations: a public health triumph

The 20^th century witnessed significant public health achievements through the employment of immunizations. Smallpox and the poliovirus have virtually been eliminated, and the numbers of measles, diphtheria, rubella, and pertussis cases have been drastically reduced. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has materials and resources for providers to customize for their patients, including immunization schedules for infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

A new challenge

This past spring the world was confronted with a new flu virus called 2009-H1N1 (swine flu). As flu season approaches for the northern hemisphere, it is critical that healthcare provider efforts are re-doubled to mitigate the effects of this new threat on our communities. The Department of Health and Human Services has established a Web site devoted the H1N1 virus. It provides one-stop access to federal H1N1, avian and pandemic flu information. There’s a special tab for the healthcare industry that provides checklists, toolkit, and guidelines to assist providers and service organizations in planning for a pandemic outbreak. And a committee of the CDC recently recommended that vaccinations efforts for H1N1 focus on the following populations:

• Pregnant women
• Persons who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency services personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age
• Persons from ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk due to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

According to their Web site, the “highest priority message is to treat pregnant women with influenza-like illness as soon as possible; treatment should not be withheld pending results of testing for influenza, if testing is done.”

The Washington Post recently reported that “manufacturers expect to deliver about 40 million doses of vaccine to the government and private distributors in September, and another 80 million doses in October.”

It’s time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and wash our hands.