9/29/09

 Helpful links are highlighted below:

Medline Plus (NIH funded) information about Influenza (click here)

Seasonal Flu: 

Note:  We DO recommend flu vaccination for all children > 6mo old.

• We continue to have shortages of injectable Seasonal flu vaccine nationally.   The injectable form is primarily for children under 3 years old and patients with hi-risk conditions such as asthma.   The shortage seems to stem from limited production capacity due to Swine Flu vaccine production.  We will post new information on availability as we receive it, please check back here.
• Flumist is the nasal spray preparation of the Seasonal flu vaccine.   It can be used down to age 3 (sometimes 2 1/2 years), and avoids an injection.   Patients and parents are generally pleased by this vaccine, and have reported few side effects or issues.  We have plenty of Seasonal Flumist available.
• New information seen here  states that the flumist may be less effective than the injectable flu vaccine in adults.   Past studies have indicated the reverse in children, the Flumist being more effective than the injectable version.   We will continue to follow along as more information is available.

H1N1 Influenza:

Medline Plus information about H1N1 Influenza here

CDC information page about H1N1 immunization here

• We expect arrival of some H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine in Mid-October.   We do not know if this will be injectable or nasal mist forms.   We do not know how much vaccine we will receive. 
• We plan on immunizing hi risk individuals (e.g. those with asthma) first, prior to beginning general immunization.
• Children < 9 years old will need 2 immunizations separated by 3wks.
• We presently have no concerns about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, it has been developed in the same manner as the Seasonal vaccine.   See here for details on the safety of the vaccine.
• We will provide updates as more information becomes available.