2009 H1N1 - Information For Nurses
BACKGROUND on H1N1
H1N1 cases and deaths have decreased, but the threat of a "third wave" of influenza activity still exists. While about 130 million Americans have been estimated to have either been infected with H1N1 or been vaccinated, that still leaves more than half of the U.S. population at risk for disease.
The H1N1 vaccine is in abundant supply, and it's not too late to be vaccinated. The vaccine is safe, effective, and the best way to be protected from H1N1 influenza. Nurses should be vaccinated to protect themselves, their families, their patients, and their communities.
Young people, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions, particularly asthma, have been shown to be at greatest risk for severe illness and death. Nurses should encourage these populations to be vaccinated.
All nurses - in any position of authority and any workplace - should advocate for and help develop a comprehensive plan for pandemic flu, know their role in those plans, and if interested in becoming a volunteer responder, should register now with an organized emergency response system.
ANA is working for nurses from the national perspective to ensure they are fully educated on the public health and medical implications and interventions. But ANA is also monitoring issues affecting nurses on the job, such as adequate protective equipment, available vaccines, surge capacity and ethical concerns, and reporting and sharing this with our national organization and government partners. ANA needs to hear from nurses on what will make their jobs easier, and how patients can be better served during the pandemic.
On this website, the ANA has consolidated some of the most pertinent information for nurses, including CDC's clinical guidance. Unless otherwise specified, all clinical guidance and recommendations are from the CDC.
See the Inside menu at the top of the column to the left for more about the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic. |