Doctor and senior woman wearing facemasks during coronavirus and flu outbreak. Virus protection. COVID-2019..

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday released its recommendations regarding who should receive vaccines against the H1N1 virus. Seniors didn’t make the top of the list—but officials had a good reason why.

Anne Schuchat with the CDC told reporters that the senior population—those aged 65 and older—has been largely spared by the H1N1 virus, and were therefore not considered a priority for inoculation. Pregnant women and those who care for children topped the list, followed by healthcare workers, younger people aged 6 months to 24 years, and adults aged 25 years to 64 years with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

“The idea was, after these other younger age groups have been addressed, if supply is adequate, if global circumstances and the epidemiological data permit, vaccine could be offered [to seniors] at that time,” Schuchat said.

The CDC also acknowledged that seniors are at a greater risk for seasonal strains of influenza, and encouraged the over-65 population to get those vaccines as soon as they can.

For more, go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.