The Omaha guide., 1957-09-27
Asian Flu
Epidemic Is
Unavoidable


HA~1A$oA ah1 Ra1hS AAtaAtA ~
thorities now believe that we are
almost certain to have widespread
epidemics of influenza this fall
and winter. This prediction is
based on the appearance Of an
new strain of Type A
influenza virus against which our
people have no specific inmuni
ty, and which has already caused
widespread epidemics in several
foreign countries and localized
outbreaks in this country. This
new Asian" strain of virus Is
now seeded throughout the uni
ted States.
Characteristics of fhe Disease
The disease caused by this
virus is characterized by lis
abrnptness. severity Of symp-
toms, shortness of duration g TO
5 days., and low mortality rate.
Deaths that occur are usually in
the extremes of age and those
who are debilitated, and particu-
larly those who have pulmonary
or cardiac diseases. The serious
ness of an epidemic IN a COM
munity is expected to arise from
the high attack rate us to 20
percent occurring over a period
of 3 to 4 weeks, which can seri-
ously disrupt normal community
activities and overwhelm hospi.
tai and medical facilities unless
the proper steps are taken to
minimize this situation.
Vaccine Program
A monoyalent vaccine giving
good protection against Asian in.
fluenza is being manufactured
in ever-increasing quantities by
six pharmaceutical houses. The
widest possible use Of this vac
cine Is to be encouraged in an
atteh4pt to prevent epide5nics
frosis occurring, OF 10 minimize
the impact on community.
There are to be no government
restrictions or controls on the
use of the vaccine, but the phar-
maceutical houses have voIun-
tarily agreed to an ALLEGATION
plan whereby each state will re-
ceive its proportionate share OF
vaccine based on its population
Nebraska receives 0.8qo of the
total output. Vaccine is now
coming into the state in increas-
ing quantities. It is anticipated
that the supply will be adequate
in sixty to ninety days.
During the next few weeks,
when the demand for vaccine is
expected to be greater than the
available supply, physicians are
urged to use some form of pri-
ority system in the administra-
tion of the vaccine. II will be de-
sirable at the local level to ar
rive at this priority plan by joint
decision between the medical
profession and local community
advisory groups. A suggested
priority plan places those persons
in the community responsible
of providing medical and hospi-
tai services at the head of the
list, with persons deemed essen
tial for maintaining other COM
munity services second (fire, po-
lice, public utilities. communi-
cation workers, etc., and those
persons most likely to have Sc
we're complications third, Per-
sons who are debilitated or have
cardiac or pulmonary diseases)
Two precautions are to be %
served in the use Of the vaccine.
First, since it is an egg product,
persons sensitive to eggs, chick
ems, or chicken feathers, should
under no circumstances receive
vaccine, but rather should run
the risk of contracting Asian in
fluenza. Second, since il does
cause undesirable reactions in
very young infants, It is recon-
mended that ii not be given to
infants under 3 months of age.
For prc-school children under )
years Of age, 1i10 &c intraeu-
taneously or simultaneously re-
peated after an interval OF one
TO two weeks, is considered safe.
Children from 10 II years Of
age may be given = &C snbcutan.
eously, also repeated after an In
teryal Of one 10 two weeks. Child
ren 10 years Of age and older
may receive the adult dose of /
&C simultaneously.
When vaccine becomes avail.
able In sufficient quantities 10
meet the demand and Il becomes
necessary 10 embark on a vaccine
promotion campaign. materials
wlll be available to assist each
community IN such > program.