Limited supplies of an H1N1 virus vaccine will be available earlier than anticipated and ready by the first week of October, according to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.
Sebelius, Dr. Beth Bell, Associate Director for Science at the Center for Disease Control, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan reported the most recent developments on the H1N1 virus in a news conference call Friday.
According to Sebelius, a vaccine should be available by mid-October on college campuses and some limited supplies will be available in early October. She said one dose is sufficient for a robust immune response.
Bell said H1N1 is just as, if not more dangerous than the seasonal flu.
H1N1 is being treated with increased caution because of its potential to mutate, according to Bell. She said how and when it might mutate is unpredictable, but the potential of the H1N1 strain to mix with the seasonal flu strain could prove to be deadly.
The virus has affected people under the age of 25 the most, according to Sebelius. Bell said the primary reason college students are susceptible might be that they lack certain immunities found in older population groups.
Bell also said conditions on college campuses promote easy transmission of H1N1. According to Duncan, the three consistent responses colleges nationwide are instituting include prevention, close monitoring of thos infected, and using common sense.
""I've actually been extraordinarily pleased over the school year to see colleges and universities really respond in a responsible [and] practical way,"" Duncan said.
He said the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services have been working in conjunction to stem the spread of H1N1 on campuses. Duncan said schools nationwide have consistently responded positively to CDC guidelines. He said many schools have promoted self-isolation, separate dorms for the sick, and flexibility for sick students who miss class.
Sebelius said using social media to communicate to potential flu victims has played a major role in the federal government's H1N1 response strategy. She said Twitter and Facebook are currently being used as primary outlets to promote awareness to college students about the dangers of the H1N1 virus.
