AVMA Urges CDC to Give H1N1 Vaccine Priority to Veterinarians

By Dr. Ashley Shelton, Assistant Director of the GRD

In light of the vaccine shortage combined with the threat of an H1N1 influenza pandemic, the AVMA is urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand their targeted recipient list of those who are eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Due to the susceptibility of the swine population and the ability of the pandemic virus to spread from humans to pigs and/or within pig populations, veterinarians and workers who deal with swine are at increased risk for contracting the virus and spreading it across both the human and swine populations.

Based on those concerns, the AVMA has teamed up with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians to request that the CDC give priority access to available vaccination to veterinarians and workers who deal directly with swine. [Read the joint letter.] Nine House of Representative members also co-authored a letter to the CDC, asking that pork producers and swine veterinarians be included among those who are given priority access to the H1N1 vaccination.

On October 21, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on H1N1, entitled "H1N1 Flu: Monitoring the Nation's Response." Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Arne Duncan, Secretary of the Department of Education, were witnesses.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the lead agency on issues related to public health and the vaccination strategy with the CDC directing the effort through science-based decisions. According to HHS, 46 states have reported widespread level of flu activity, while the remaining states are at elevated levels. An enhanced surveillance system and expanded testing capabilities allow HHS to monitor changes in the virus across the United States and the world. HHS maintains the website www.flu.gov, which shares scientific information in multiple languages and is updated on a regular basis. Flu season officially began October 4.

For more information, please contact Dr. Ashley Shelton at ashelton@avma.org.