Flu Season Health Recommendations From Pipestone System
September 18, 2009
We at Pipestone Veterinary Clinic and the Pipestone System realize our clients, our shareholders, and our employees share the general public’s concerns about the H1N1 influenza virus. We continue to closely monitor this issue and make the following recommendations:
Human Vaccination:
- Seasonal influenza vaccines are produced each year for use in the human population. Their use is highly recommended by public health officials, especially for high-risk persons (the very young, the elderly, those with medical conditions that put them at risk for flu complications).
- A vaccine against novel H1N1 influenza is currently in production. Public health professionals are recommending people receive this vaccine once it becomes available, with the understanding that supplies will be limited initially and its use will be prioritized.
- We recommend that our customers, shareholders, swine farm workers, and employees be vaccinated for seasonal influenza as well as the novel H1N1 when it becomes available. Check with your health insurance provider regarding coverage of these vaccines. (Our EMP SERV employees are fully covered for both influenza vaccines under the $500 Employee Wellness benefit of their Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan.)
Swine Vaccination:
- At this time there are no swine influenza vaccines that contain the novel H1N1 flu strain.
- We have, and continue to, recommend that all sow herds and replacement breeding stock be vaccinated with a commercially licensed or quality autogenous swine influenza vaccine.
- We have not recommended and do not currently vaccinate growing and finishing pigs for swine influenza. Vaccination of growing swine has not proven to consistently reduce the clinical effects of swine influenza in finishing pigs.
- In the event that a commercially licensed novel H1N1 influenza vaccine becomes available, we will carefully evaluate the product and likely implement its use in sow farms/breeding stock. Its use in growing and finishing swine would need to be carefully considered.
Please contact your PVC veterinarian if you have further questions regarding novel H1N1 and vaccination.
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