Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can provide protection to newborns and infants who cannot be vaccinated.
 

Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus.

Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported, this group can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity, as ill caregivers will not be available to provide expert care.

Everyone from 6 months through 24 years of age Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 novel H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.

Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 novel H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population.

sub-bulleted item  Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
 

NOTE: Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older, as well as people ages 25 to 64.

Nationwide, the 2009 novel H1N1 vaccination has begun but initial supplies are limited. More doses are expected for shipment each week. We ask members of the public who want to receive this vaccine to be patient as more vaccine becomes available. While we expect that there will eventually be enough vaccine available for anyone who wishes to receive it, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also made recommendations regarding which people within the groups listed above should receive the first available doses.