Current Influenza Information
Updated December 10, 2009
H1N1 vaccine is available to children six months and older on both the Immunization Bus stationed at Children's Hospital's Calhoun Campus and on the traveling Immunization Bus (current Immunization Bus schedules). Most of our patients have received H1N1 vaccine at Children's Hospital Calhoun Campus (935 Calhoun, the old DePaul Hospital) and found this very convenient. The Immunization Bus parks near the new Parenting Center site.
Next scheduled immunization dates at the Calhoun site (H1N1 only) will be:
Monday, December 14, 9 AM – 12 noon
Tuesday, December 15, 2 PM – 6 PM
Remember that children under ten years of age should receive two H1N1 shots, at least thirty days apart.
These sites will also provide H1N1 immunizations to pregnant women, parents of babies under six months, and health care workers. There is no charge for these immunizations, and no appointments are necessary. Please bring your child's immunization record with you.
Most vaccine has been received in multi-dose vials, suitable for children six months and older. Single dose, preservative-free vaccine is also now available for use in younger children.
H1N1 Vaccine is also now available for children and adults at Passport Health. All formats, including preservative-free vaccine, are available at Passport Health's clinic at 3220 N. Turnbull in Metairie. Call 504-456-8515 for appointments and information. Cost is $15.00 per dose.
This has been an unusual and challenging "flu" season. While we have been busy with the usual process of immunizing our patients and their families to protect against "seasonal" flu, the emergence of a new influenza strain, H1N1 or "swine" flu has led to a great deal of anxiety, a number of sick children, and a vigorous program to develop and provide a specific vaccine against this new strain.
We want to provide the very best and most current information to our families, and to that end we have created this area of the Hales Pediatrics website will update it regularly. Please check often to see the latest status of vaccine availability, as well as other information relating to both seasonal and H1N1 flu.
We have included in this area general information about H1N1 and seasonal influenza, answers to frequently asked questions, as well as links to several excellent resources which will provide a great deal of helpful information. As always, we are available to respond to additional questions.
H1N1
General Information and Vaccine Availability
Experts at the AAP and CDC have determined that the H1N1 influenza strain poses a significant risk, especially to younger children. Current recommendations suggest that all children ages 6 months through 24 years be vaccinated, and that other populations be immunized as vaccine becomes available. While the H1N1 flu we have seen so far this season has not been as bad as projected, some children have been severely affected, and some experts are concerned that the virus may become more aggressive over time.
We endorse the CDC and AAP recommendations for immunizing children against H1N1 influenza, and have seen no evidence that this vaccine has a higher rate of side effects or complications than the standard seasonal flu vaccine.
The H1N1 vaccine is being provided directly through the federal and state governments. In the interest of efficient and speedy distribution and administration most of the immunizations will likely be administered through schools, hospitals, and other organizations. At this point Hales Pediatrics does not expect to receive or administer H1N1 vaccine, and we have asked the state to route all available vaccine supplies for our patients to Children's Hospital, where dedicated and efficient administration facilities will be organized.
Please watch for updates on our website as dates of availability and other details become available.
Seasonal Flu
General Information and Vaccine Availability
As we have in past years, we recommend that all children receive the seasonal flu shot. These vaccines are prepared well in advance and provide protection against the strains of influenza infectious disease experts expect to pose the greatest risk during each flu season. We have offered our patients this immunization in our offices, and, when supplies have permitted, we have also immunized parents and other family members.
Delivery of the seasonal flu vaccine this year has been erratic, and we have exhausted our initial allotment of vaccine. As new shipments are confirmed we will post that information here. We do expect a shipment of vaccine suited for children less than three years of age by October 18, and will schedule appointments to administer that vaccine when delivery is confirmed.
Seasonal vaccine is also currently available through the "Immunization Bus," a community outreach program of Children’s Hospital. Click here to see the Immunization Bus schedule.
Seasonal flu vaccine may also be available at other outlets—schools and pharmacies, for example. Please make use of these resources if they are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do you recommend the H1N1 vaccine?
Yes. We endorse the recommendations of the CDC and the Academy of Pediatrics that children older than six months should be immunized. While for most children the "swine flu" has not been a serious illness, for some children it has proven deadly. We consider the vaccine safe, and recommend that our patients be immunized.
Are you worried about side effects of the H1N1 vaccine?
Since the H1N1 vaccine has been prepared using exactly the same technology used for the seasonal flu vaccine, we have no reason to expect side effects other than the usual mild ones: sore arms, occasional low fever, and so on.
Who should be immunized first?
The current recommendations are to first immunize all children 6 months—24 years, parents and caregivers of infants under six months, pregnant women, health care workers, and adults 25-64 years old with chronic health conditions.
My baby is too young to be immunized. What do you suggest?
Caregivers and siblings of very young children are included in the first group targeted to receive the vaccine. We also suggest using care to limit exposure, and to be consistent in handwashing and the use of disinfectants.
I just don’t want to get the vaccine for my child. Is there a problem with that?
All parents should consider the advantages and disadvantages of any medical option, weighing any potential risks against all clear benefits. In this case we consider the vaccine to be safe, and the disease potentially serious, so we do recommend that our patients receive that protection. There is also an extended benefit when healthy children are immunized, as they often carry the virus to the elderly and otherwise more vulnerable people.
What versions of vaccine will be available?
We expect the vaccine to be available in three versions. The nasal spray version contains a live attenuated virus. The injectable version will be available in multiple-dose vials and in preservative-free single-dose units. The delivery of vaccines in these various formats is likely to be erratic, which will complicate efficient administration.
Should my child get the nasal spray? Is one or the other better? Who should not get the nasal spray?
The nasal and injectable versions should be equally effective, and the nasal form is approved for use in children over the age of two years. Since the nasal form contains a live, attenuated (weakened) virus, it should not be given to pregnant women or to patients with chronic illnesses, asthma, egg allergy, or any form of weakened immune system.
How many doses of H1N1 vaccine are needed?
Current guidelines suggest that children 6 months—9 years should receive two doses of vaccine, at least one month apart.
Can the H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time as seasonal flu vaccine? Can it be given at the same time as other vaccines?
The injectable H1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine, and also can be given at the same time as most other shots. The nasal forms of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine should not be given at the same time.
Where will the H1N1 vaccine be available?
Because of the logistical challenges of vaccine availability and distribution, Hales Pediatrics is collaborating with Children’s Hospital to make H1N1 vaccine available to our patients through an expansion of Children’s Hospital’s immunization outreach program. We expect the H1N1 vaccine to be available to our patients both on the "Immunization Bus" and at a dedicated administration facility, probably at the Hospital’s Calhoun Campus. Watch this website for more specific information about vaccine availability, locations, and process.
What if we think our child has already had the swine flu? Does he still need the shot?
Yes. Diagnosis of H1N1 influenza has been very challenging, even with the use of lab tests, making it nearly impossible to know for sure if a child’s illness has been due to H1N1 or some other respiratory virus. Since giving H1N1 vaccine to a child who already has had the disease will do no harm, experts recommend that children who have had suspected H1N1 disease should still be immunized.
Where can adults get the seasonal and H1N1 shots?
The vaccine available through our collaboration with Children’s Hospital is reserved for pediatric patients. Adult vaccine supplies will be available through doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and other outlets. We expect these administration sites to be well publicized.
Links
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides useful information on H1N1 and seasonal influenza:
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/swineflu.htm
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has provided a separate website devoted to H1N1 and seasonal influenza information:
http://www.flu.gov/
The State of Louisiana also has set up a dedicated influenza site:
http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/default-145.asp?ID=145
The "Immunization Bus" schedule can be found at this site:
http://www.gnoshots4kids.com/index2.html
Children’s Hospital website has a good influenza update:
http://www.chnola.org/content/newsroom.htm?view=15&news_id=31&news=1%2c2