POZ Community Forums

Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: GNYC09 on July 30, 2009, 09:22:09 pm

Title: Will Swine Flu Vaccine Plan Give Priority to HIV+ People?
Post by: GNYC09 on July 30, 2009, 09:22:09 pm

There was an article in today's New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/health/30flu.html?_r=1) about how the U.S. *might* have 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine ready by October.  A panel of health experts recommended that those 120 million doses be first given to the following people in this priority order:

Pregnant women
People in contact with infants
Healthcare workers
People 6 months-24 years old

High risk adults would get whatever (if any) vaccine remains.  The rest of the U.S. population would be next in line.  The NYT defined "high risk adults" as "people ages 25 to 64 with medical problems like asthma, diabetes or heart disease."  Hello??  What about people with compromised immune systems??  This article freaked me out because my CD4 count is ~345+I'm still recuperating from PCP and I don't know if I could survive a flu like this.  As a result, I've spoken to my doctor and he said that people with compromised immune systems would be "bumped up the line".  

So, if you're immunocompromised, you might find it worthwhile to let your doctor know that you're interested in getting this vaccine as soon as it's available...

Title: Re: Will Swine Flu Vaccine Plan Give Priority to HIV+ People?
Post by: Basquo on July 31, 2009, 08:36:25 am

While I'm usually a huge advocate of getting a flu shot every year, I'm going to hold out for a few months on this one. I want to make sure no one's keeling over first.

Title: Re: Will Swine Flu Vaccine Plan Give Priority to HIV+ People?
Post by: dixieman on July 31, 2009, 02:45:16 pm

The swine flu vaccine is under trails as I type... young children, health care employees, elderly and compromised chronically Ill people willbe first inline...but, only if the vaccine is proven effective... this vaccine does not cancel out the regular flu vaccine either... so both willbe given... I always get the flu vaccine and I will likely be in line for this flu vaccine is given the ok! and I would recommend it to anyone when its becomes available. A man just died in Birmingham, AL yesterday in his  age early 50's with a compromised immune system from the h1-n1 virus (swine Flu)

Title: Re: Will Swine Flu Vaccine Plan Give Priority to HIV+ People?
Post by: emeraldize on July 31, 2009, 03:59:52 pm

According to report aired on NPR today, pregnant women will be first in line.

Title: Re: Will Swine Flu Vaccine Plan Give Priority to HIV+ People?
Post by: GNYC09 on August 22, 2009, 11:07:52 pm

Good news from POZ magazine...

"August 21, 2009

Study: No Evidence That HIV Worsens Swine Flu Mortality Risk, Complications

Obesity and diabetes are the two main underlying conditions associated with death in people with H1N1 virus (swine flu), according to a new study published in the August 20 edition of Eurosurveillance as reported by aidsmap.com. The authors, from the French Institute of Public Health, do not cite HIV as a mortality risk factor.

Furthermore, HIV-positive people are not thought to be at increased risk for contracting H1N1, nor are they thought to be at greater risk for developing swine flu complications unless their CD4 count drops below 200.

The study—which examined H1N1-associated deaths before July 16—also found respiratory disease and heart disease to be underlying risk factors. Immunosuppression was reported in 16 patients, including five cancer cases, two transplantation patients and three people with autoimmune disease.

Of the 564 H1N1-related deaths identified, detailed information was available for only 213. "

Title: Re: Will Swine Flu Vaccine Plan Give Priority to HIV+ People?
Post by: Cliff on August 23, 2009, 05:16:53 am

I don't trust what the media says.  I read somewhere that pregnant women would be first in line in the UK, only to then read that everyone in higher risk groups would be first in line (not just pregnant women).  I think they are buying enough for the entire population here.

I wouldn't panic, there should be plenty to cover all of us in the higher risk groups.

Title: Re: Will Swine Flu Vaccine Plan Give Priority to HIV+ People?
Post by: AlanBama on August 23, 2009, 12:07:01 pm

The head of my clinic stated on Friday that they had no information as to the prioritization of HIV patients with the H1N1 vaccine....so it's "wait and see" for us.  He did indicate that the clinic might prioritize those with fewer T-cells/in poorer overall health to be the first to receive it after it is received by the clinic.

We will receive our regular flu shots sometime in October.