Kathleen Sebelius: Patience, please: More H1N1 vaccine coming

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Kathleen Sebelius: Patience, please: More H1N1 vaccine coming


01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, November 18, 2009


By KATHLEEN SEBELIUS


WASHINGTON

Many Americans are worried about the 2009 H1N1 virus, and many of you are still waiting your turn to be vaccinated. Like you, I am deeply saddened by the illness and death caused by the H1N1 flu. And as a mother, I understand the frustration and anxiety parents feel when they cannot find vaccine for their children, and all of us feel when our expectations exceed our options.

Like the flu itself, flu vaccine production can be unpredictable. We expected to have significantly larger quantities by now, but because of a host of factors, vaccine production has been slower than anyone expected, despite the best efforts of all involved, working around the clock. Still, our clear focus is to get safe, effective vaccine to the people who need it as quickly as possible.

When the first H1N1 vaccine arrived ahead of schedule in early October ? in fact, in record time ? we made the decision to get it to communities so they could begin to administer it, even though we knew there would initially be a small number of doses. While millions of doses have now been distributed, many more Americans are still waiting. I would ask people to please be patient. More is coming.

Americans across the country have stepped up to meet the challenges posed by the H1N1 virus and are working together to prevent the spread of the flu. You can see them washing their hands, coughing in their sleeves, staying at home when they?re sick, and, yes, standing in line for a vaccination.

Many people who get the flu will get only a mild case, but flu can be serious for anyone, and there are groups at especially high risk for serious complications, such as young children, pregnant women, and anyone with health conditions like diabetes or asthma. That?s why they?re at the front of the line for vaccine. Even if you get sick, you can protect yourself and those around you by staying home, avoiding contact with other people and seeking prompt medical attention if you have a health condition or become seriously ill.

Our goal from the start has been to do everything we can to protect the health of the American people. President Obama ordered an aggressive, all-hands-on-deck response from the moment this virus first appeared last spring. Since then we have not let up and we have seen strong bipartisan support for our efforts. Vaccination is the best means of preventing and reducing the spread of the H1N1 flu, and we have worked very hard to make the vaccine available.

We have also enhanced our national vaccine safety monitoring system to ensure we can rapidly identify any signals that arise. In addition, we have deployed an extensive new distribution system, with up to 150,000 sites, and released antiviral drugs from the national stockpile to help get people the medicine they need, when they need it.

Earlier this fall we launched a new Web site ? flu.gov ? where you can get up-to-date information. You can find educational materials like ?Flu Essentials? to help you recognize early warning signs in case you or a loved one gets ill, an explanation of health conditions that would put you at risk for complications, and a self-evaluation survey where you can check your symptoms and get help making a decision about whether to seek treatment. Flu.gov also has a vaccine locator with the latest information on where to get vaccinated.

I can?t tell you whether this wave of H1N1 virus will get worse or be followed by another wave later in the season. But I can tell you that vaccine supply will slowly grow to meet demand. Each day, more vaccine will be shipped around the country, and more Americans will have the opportunity to be vaccinated.

Without question, we need significant improvements to our vaccine production system in this country. The Department of Health and Human Services continues to make critical investments in expanding our domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and developing new technologies that will make pandemic vaccine available faster.

Every day we are learning critical lessons that we have already begun applying to future planning. But right now, our highest priority is responding to the current outbreak and protecting Americans? health.
So if you?ve stood in a line, were frustrated and left, please consider coming back as more vaccine becomes available. Check out flu.gov for more information about where and when vaccine will be in your community. And in the meantime, please don?t forget to keep doing all the things that can keep you and your community healthy and flu-free.
Together, we can fight H1N1.

Kathleen Sebelius is U.S. secretary of health and human services.

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