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H1N1 Flu pandemic - PPSV23 vaccine

As the H1N1 Flu virus (swine flu) is now officially declared a pandemic we should be mindful of the possibility, for those of us who are included in certain medical categories, of developing life threatening pneumonia infection should we contract this virus at some point in the coming year.

I have put the full guidance and further links to information under Newswire. There is a list of the groups of people that are considered to be more at risk, which includes those with leukaemia and those that have had bone marrow transplants and/or splenectomy, amongst others.

It might be wise for those of us in the following at risk categories to check with our doctor to see if and/or when a Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) was given and if it was over 5 years ago, ask to be vaccinated again.

Sandy

Interim guidance for use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine during novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak
June 9, 2009

Table. U.S. ACIP recommendations for use of pneumococcal polysaccacharide vaccine.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)

Universal vaccination

All adults 65 years of age and older

Medical Indications

Persons 2 through 64 years of age who have one or more of the following long-term health problems:

* chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies)
* chronic pulmonary disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema
* diabetes mellitus
* alcoholism
* chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis
* cerebrospinal fluid leaks
* functional or anatomic asplenia including sickle cell disease and splenectomy
* immunocompromising conditions including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant

Hi Sandy,

We've had a recent concern with my son Ben. The swine flu is currently travelling through his school. The district has agreed to put him on home study with a teacher for the rest of the year.

I contacted Dr. Druker's office for some advice. Here's what I was told:

"We have not seen increased risk of infections in our patients, so Ben’s risk is about the same as his peers. Patients with their CML under control have good immune systems. Dr. Druker has been advising careful hand washing as the main precaution for patients. Even if Ben is at home, that is still the most important thing as there is virus in the community. In the remote chance that he needs it, Tamiflu is OK with Gleevec."

We all should remain concerned and vigilant at this time. Yet, I hope this pandemic doesn't cause CML patients to retreat into a bubble. I feel terribly that my son is missing his end of year activities at school. It seems that the school doesn't want him there much more than I don't want him to be there.

People with CML will likely be much more vigilant than most and will get antibiotics with the first sign of flu. EVERYBODY WASH YOUR HANDS!!

I hope this information helps.

Tracey