CDC Advisory Panel Issues H1N1 Vaccine Recommendations

Atlanta, GA – The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), convened today to create recommendations for the use of the vaccine against the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The committee prioritized specific groups for vaccination in the initial stages of the vaccine's rollout.

The ACIP indicated an initial supply of the H1N1 vaccine will be limited. Because of the predicted short supply, the committee focused on vaccinating individuals at higher risk of complications from the H1N1 virus. Committee members crafted the guidance based on scientific evidence related to both influenza transmission and the severity of the H1N1 strain.

The recommendations from the advisory committee are forwarded to the CDC for consideration. The CDC will issue official guidelines to healthcare providers as vaccine production and distribution scales up.