Oregon Public Health officials have made the H1N1 vaccine available to everyone. Previously, the vaccine had been prioritized to groups most at risk from H1N1. OPH recommends that everyone get vaccinated, but it's still especially important for those at high risk of complications from flu.

The following are at high risk of flu complications - it's extremely important for these groups to be vaccinated: 

• Children and adults age 24-64 with chronic medical conditions
• Pregnant women
• Children and young people aged 6 months to 24 years;
• Household contacts and caretakers of infants under 6 months of age
• Healthcare workers and emergency services personnel

Pregnant women
They are at higher risk of complications if they get the flu, and they may be able to provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated (infants under 6 months cannot be vaccinated).

People who have frequent contact with children younger than 6 months of age
Younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by limiting their exposure to the virus.

Healthcare and emergency services personnel
Reducing infections among healthcare workers may reduce the spread of flu to vulnerable patients from infected healthcare personnel. Also, increased absenteeism among healthcare professionals reduces the capacity of the healthcare system. This category includes (but is not limited to) physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, technicians, emergency medical service personnel, dental personnel, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, autopsy personnel, students and trainees, contractual staff at health care facilities, and people not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to diseases (for example, janitorial staff or food service workers in hospitals). Emergency services personnel include people who provide emergency care as part of their normal job duties (e.g., emergency medical technicians, law enforcement, fire fighters, correctional officers and active military personnel).  

Young people from 6 months through 24 years of age
Children from 6 months through 18 years of age are included in the high-risk group because there have been many cases reported. This is most likely because they are in close contact with each other in schools and daycare settings, increasing the likelihood of disease spread. Young adults age 19-24 are in the high-risk group because there have been many reported cases of H1N1 in these otherwise healthy young adults. People in this age group tend to socialize more and move frequently, both of which increase the likelihood of disease spread.

People aged 24 through 64 with underlying health conditions

This group is also at higher risk of complications from influenza. Underlying health conditions include asthma and other chronic lung disorders; diabetes; suppressed immune systems; heart, liver, kidney or blood disease; or certain neuro-muscular conditions (ask your health care provider for more information).