Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April 2009. It is thought that the H1N1 flu virus spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.
For more information on the outbreak in Massachusetts, including a breakdown by county, visit the Department of Health's public health blog at http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/.
Pandemic Plans for the Archdiocese of Boston
The Office of Risk Management has developed pandemic planning documents to aid our parishes, schools, and institutions. The school plan was written in collaboration with the Catholic Schools Office. Please download our plans here:
The Harvard Medical School published a Question and Answer document on swine flu. Go to their website to read more.
Pandemic Planning Checklists
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed the following checklists as a framework to assist institutions to develop and/or improve plans to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic. Download and print the checklist that pertains to your institution, or call the Office of Risk Management at 617-746-5745 for a copy.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health H1N1 (Swine Flu) website,
the state has currently received under a third of the H1N1 vaccine ordered. By the second week in December, however, a significant increase in the volume of doses is expected.
Because of the gap between supply and demand, it will continue to be necessary for members of the public to check in periodically with their clinical providers regarding the availability of vaccine or to check http://flu.masspro.org for public clinic listings.
Please go to our Vaccination page for more information.
Safety of the H1N1 Vaccine
The WHO addresses the safety of pandemic vaccines on its website.
