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TABLE 3

H1N1 2009 vaccines7

Injectable or intranasal?

Manufacturer

CSL Limited

Injectable vaccine

Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited

Injectable vaccine

Sanofi Pasteur

Injectable vaccine

MedImmune

Intranasal vaccine

Inactivated or
live attenuated virus?

Inactivated

Inactivated

Inactivated

Live attenuated

Indicated age group

People 18 years of age and older

People 4 years of age and older

People 6 months of age and older

People 2 to 49 years of age

Dosage and administration

18 years of age and older: A single 0.5 mL intramuscular injection

4-9 years of age: Two 0.5 mL intramuscular injections approximately one month apart 10 years of age and older: A single 0.5 mL intramuscular injection

6-35 months of age: Two 0.25 mL intramuscular injections approximately one month apart

36 months- 9 years of age: Two 0.5 mL intramuscular injections approximately one month apart

10 years of age and older: A single 0.5 mL intramuscular injection

2-9 years of age: Two doses (0.2 mL each),* approximately one month apart

10-49 years of age: One dose (0.2 mL)*

*Note: Each 0.2 mL dose is administered as 0.1 mL per nostril

 

seasonal influenza vaccine (not as an entirely new vaccine), so the approval process was shortened. The H1N1 vaccines have undergone the usual testing as the seasonal flu vaccines have, and are produced by the same technology as seasonal flu vaccines. Health officials expect the H1N1 vaccine to have a similar safety profile as the seasonal flu vaccine, which has a long established safety track record.

 

Ho W caN pHarmacIes play a role

IN VaccINa TIoN effor Ts?

Pharmacies are ideally positioned to assist in H1N1 vaccination efforts as they offer convenience and accessibility, and thousands of pharmacists are

immunization certified and currently provide immunizations. If a pharmacy is interested in participating in H1N1 vaccination efforts, and the pharmacy is a chain pharmacy, the first step the pharmacist should take is to talk to the district, regional or corporate management team to determine the appropriate steps for involvement. Distribution of the H1N1 vaccine is different than the seasonal flu as it is purchased by the federal government, then shipped to state/local public health departments who will determine how the vaccine is distributed at the local level. Pharmacies interested in participating in H1N1 vaccination efforts must contact their state or local jurisdiction to apply to be

considered as a vaccine provider. A listing of appropriate state/local contacts may be found on the CDC Web site: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/ statecontacts.htm.

Another useful tool is the “ Operational Framework for Partnering with Pharmacies for Administration of 2009 H1N1 Vaccine” that serves as a guide for state and local health officials to establish effective partnerships with pharmacies to administer the H1N1 vaccine. It was recently developed through a collaborative process with the CDC, American Pharmacists Association, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores and

20 • Winter 2009 www.cedrugstorenews.com Pharmacy Tech News