A. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the H1N1 flu.

Q. How many shots are required for the H1N1 flu?

A. Vaccination are administered as a one-dose regimen for those 10 years of age and older, and as a two-dose regimen, administered approximately one month apart, for those 6 months to 9 years of age. Children under the age of six months are too young to receive the vaccine. Vaccine production is projected to result in an adequate supply for the entire force, its family members and beneficiaries.

Q. Can the seasonal vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?

A. Yes. The vaccines do not interfere with each other and may be received on the same day. Individuals should be vaccinated with the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible and should not wait to receive it with the H1N1 vaccine.

Q. Which Department of Defense personnel have priority for H1N1 vaccination?

A. If the illness caused by the virus remains low in severity, the following groups will have priority: 1. deployed forces, people on ships afloat, high-risk healthcare providers, and people at training sites; 2. critical or mission-essential personnel; and 3. other personnel. If illness severity becomes high, people at training sites will be moved to the priority 3 category-‘‘other personnel.”

Q. Who are the target groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine?

A. Members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have recommended that certain groups of the population receive the H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These key populations include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24-years-old, and people 25 through 64-years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or a compromised immune system.

In the event of a substantial delay in vaccine production or inadequate supply, committee members recommend that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children 6 months through 4-years of age, and children 5 through 18-years of age who have chronic medical conditions.

Q. Where will the vaccine be available for Air Force dependents, retirees, DAF civilians and contractors?

A. Every state and territory is developing a vaccine delivery plan. The vaccine likely will be available in settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces. Military treatment facilities also may receive vaccine from states to administer to dependents, retirees and other beneficiaries.

Q. If an agency chooses to institute telework during a pandemic, how are employees managed?

A. Agency officials should have strong, regular telework programs in place. The focus during a pandemic should be on getting as much work done as possible. Managers, employees and organizations will have to remain flexible with each other and with their work, and will have to adapt to the changing environment.

For more information, visit http:⁄⁄www.cdc.gov⁄h1n1flu⁄ or http:⁄⁄www.flu.gov⁄.