CDC Seeks Input on Flu Prevention Recommendations

The CDC is seeking public comment on proposed guidance that would update and replace recommendations previously issued for preventing seasonal influenza transmission in health care settings, as well as the interim guidance for novel influenza A (H1N1) that was issued last year.

The CDC said in a June 22 Federal Register notice that the proposed guidance update will consolidate several evidence-based prevention strategies -- which currently are found on different parts of the agency's influenza website -- into one comprehensive document.

The agency said an update was necessary because the overall risk of hospitalization and death among people infected with the H1N1 influenza virus is now "known to be significantly lower than pre-pandemic assumptions."

In addition, a safe and effective vaccine is now widely available, according to the CDC. The 2010-2011 trivalent flu vaccine will include the 2009 H1N1 virus.

Individuals who would like to submit written comments on the proposed guidance can do so by e-mail through July 22.

The proposed new guidance includes more than a dozen recommendations and stresses the need to vaccinate both patients and health care workers to prevent spread of the disease.

Other core prevention strategies include

The CDC said up to 20 percent of U.S. residents acquire an influenza virus each year, and an average of more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year with complications from the flu.