With poll: Swine flu covered by regular flu shot; CDC recommends those 6 months and older get the vaccine

The swine flu, known officially as the 2009 H1N1 virus, is covered in this year’s regular flu vaccination, which has begun shipping from manufacturers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The swine flu showed up and peaked at unexpected times, sparking a global pandemic. The CDC declared the public health emergency over on June 23 in the U.S., while the pandemic ended globally Aug. 10.

People lined up for wristbands so they could get the H1N1 vaccine last November at Pioneer High School. The line stretched from the school all the way to Main Street.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

“Last year was unprecedented because we had our peak flu in October and November,” said Laura Bauman, an epidemiologist for the Washtenaw County Public Health Department. 

Typically, flu season peaks around January.

The CDC is recommending everyone 6 months and older gets a flu vaccine as it becomes available, a more comprehensive recommendation than in years past, Bauman said.

The 2010-2011 shot covers three types of influenza predicted by the World Health Organization as most at risk of showing up in the flu season mix. The latest shot covers the H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus. The mix changes every year. The vaccine is also available as a nasal spray..

Bauman said H3N2 - so far it lacks a catchy nickname - has been popping up around the U.S. all summer and could be the flu virus to watch for this year.

Children younger than 5, adults over 65 and pregnant women are most at risk of developing complications from the flu. Alaskan natives and Native Americans seemed to be at a higher risk of developing complications last flu season, according to the CDC.

Juliana Keeping is a health and environment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter