The Virginia Department of Health would like to thank its community partners for their hard work to vaccinate against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The 2009 H1N1 vaccination campaign was unprecedented in its scope. The success of the campaign resulted in more than 26% of all Virginians and 40% of children 6 months to 17 years getting vaccinated.
“What an amazing amount of dedication, work and success,” Dr. Remley, VDH Health Commissioner, said. “A very sincere thank you to each of you and your families. I know that this effort affected each of our lives and those we love.”
As the summer ends and we prepare for the 2010-2011 influenza season, providers can return their monovalent H1N1 vaccine through the voluntary Vaccine Recovery Program (preferred) or dispose of the vaccine on their own in appropriate medical waste receptacles (biohazard or sharps containers). All monovalent 2009 H1N1 vaccine has expired at this time, except for the Sanofi Pasteur H1N1 vaccine in multi-dose vials with an original expiration date of March 2011. This product has a shortened shelf-life of 9/15/2010. All registered H1N1 providers have a final opportunity to return unused vaccine with a second set of shipping labels mailed in September. The Recovery Program ends on December 1, 2010. For information on the Vaccine Recovery Program, please call the Division of Immunization at (804) 864-8055 or the HHS Supply Service Center (1-800-642-0263, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST).
As of August 10, 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the world is no longer in phase 6 of the influenza pandemic alert that was originally declared in June 2009. As we enter the post-pandemic period, we expect the H1N1 virus will take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come.
The 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine will include a 2009 H1N1 component, as well as H3N2 and B virus components. All persons six months of age and older are recommended to receive the seasonal flu vaccine for protection against these three influenza strains.
Though state and local public health departments may purchase this season’s flu vaccine for specific uses, the majority of the vaccine will be distributed commercially. Private providers will be obtaining the vaccine through routine, commercial channels. If you are a patient, please check with your primary care physician, pharmacist or other trusted healthcare provider to receive your flu shot!