Influenza A H1N1v

Children

In the current Influenza A H1N1v pandemic outbreak, children <5 years (especially <1 year) and children with certain chronic medical conditions are at increased risk of complications and death from the infection. In particular, H1N1v related pediatric deaths have been caused by bacterial co-infections with species such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Pregnant Women

The estimated rate of admission for H1N1v infection in pregnant women during the first month of the outbreak was higher than in the general population; 30% of 20-29 year old women who have died by July 16th 2009 were pregnant women. Therefore, WHO strongly recommends pregnant women to be vaccinated against H1N1v and prioritizes these women as the first to receive vaccine in case of shortage.

Lack of Knowledge

Urgent attention is needed to address several issues concerning vaccination of pregnant women, passive immunity conferred to newborns, and risk factors for severe H1N1v disease. Therefore, COPSAC has initiated an intensive H1N1v study program nested in the COPSAC₂₀₁₀ cohort.