Influenza

Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September and continue throughout the influenza season. We recommend both the H1N1 and the Seasonal Flu Vaccine for all of our patients.

At our office, vaccines may be given without an appointment, M-F 9-12:30 and 2-4:30 and Saturdays 9-11:30.

Swine Flu: Weekly Update 12/3/09

for patients of the Pediatric Group

As of today (12/3/09) we have the following H1N1 Vaccine:

For healthy or chronically ill children 6 months to 24 years: We have the killed, injectable H1N1 vaccine.

**** We now also have the live, intranasal H1N1 vaccine for healthy children between 2 and 24 years.****

We are now able to offer H1N1 vaccine to any adult relative/contact of our patients who meet the criteria for a priority group (have asthma, heart or lung disease, immunocompromised, as well as health care workers or caregivers of children under 6 months). We still are unable to offer the H1N1 vaccine to healthy adults over 24 years who do not meet these criteria.

*Children who have received a live virus vaccine must wait 28 days after that vaccine to receive another live vaccine.

As of today (12/3/09) we have the following Seasonal Flu Vaccine:

We now have seasonal flu vaccine for well and chronically ill children in all age groups above 6 months.
We are now able to offer Seasonal Flu vaccine to any adult relative/contact of our patients regardless of whether they are well or fall into a priority group.

* We do recommend both the Swine Flu (H1N1) vaccine and the Seasonal Flu Vaccine. We concur with the Center of Disease recommendations that all children 6 months to 24 years receive the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine; children under 10 years need two doses. Additionally, everyone over 6 months should try to receive the Seasonal Flu Vaccine this year; the seasonal flu causes an estimated 30,000 deaths per year in the US.

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FLU Update in NJ: New Jersey's flu activity has moved from regional to "widespread"; i.e., H1N1 is present in a majority of counties throughout the state. We do not test, but we are seeing several patients daily with a flu-like illness.

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What You Can Do to Stay Healthy:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you are sick.

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FYI The 2009 H1N1 Vaccines are made the same way the seasonal flu vaccines have been made for years. Additional studies just completed have shown that the vaccines are both safe and effective, even for children and pregnant woman. We have been informed that production and stockpiling is progressing at the federal level, and the ordering and distribution systems are being developed on the state and local level.

As you probably already know: this year there is not only the usual “Seasonal Flu A/B vaccine” but also the additional “2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine.” In the USA, all “2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine” must be ordered from the US Health Department, and will be delivered via the State and Local Health Departments. There are two basic types of both the usual Seasonal Flu Vaccines and the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccines: a Live Attenuated Vaccine (approved only for healthy, low risk people aged 2- 50 years, and delivered as a nasal spray) and the Inactivated Vaccine (approved for everyone older than 6 months, and delivered as an injection). The virus used in the nasal spray vaccine is weakened and is not able to produce influenza illness in a healthy individual, but theoretically it could pose a potential risk to individuals with a weakened immune system. Both the spray and injectable types are manufactured in eggs and can not be given to anyone severely allergic to eggs.

CURRENTLY NJ Department of Health has the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (nasal spray) for H1N1, and is now shipping to Schools, Public Health Clinics and Private Practices. NJ State has received and began shipping the Inactive injectable vaccine to some clinics and sites. It is still hoped that the State will begin receiving and shipping many Inactive injectable vaccine by end of November. There will be staggered shipments through the next few months and it is still expected that eventually there will be enough vaccine for everyone who desires it.

INFORMATION from the NJ.gov WEBSITE:

“H1N1 Vaccine Production and Availability:

*Many residents are concerned with the slower than expected arrival of H1N1 vaccine. Please understand that the H1N1 vaccine, like other vaccines, is produced by manufacturers and distributed by the federal government. We will do all that we can to ensure orders are placed in a timely manner and that the vaccine is getting to the target populations.

*As of October 28, 2009, New Jersey ordered approximately 1.3 million doses of vaccine and more than 567,000 doses have been distributed to nearly 891 providers statewide. Shipments of the H1N1 vaccine will continue to arrive throughout this month and into the winter.

*The federal government has assured us that ultimately there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants it. However, with only limited vaccine available at this time, it is important to first target the individuals most susceptible to H1N1 flu.” “

“H1N1 Vaccine is Safe:

Many parents have raised concerns about the safety of the new H1N1 vaccine. All vaccines, including the H1N1 vaccine, are held to the highest standard of safety and are continually monitored. Each year, millions of Americans safely receive seasonal flu vaccines. The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way as seasonal flu vaccine by the same manufacturers that make seasonal flu vaccine. In addition, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has conducted clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine has been tested and safely used in children, pregnant woman, and adults.”

“The Find a Flu Shot Locator can be accessed at www.nj.gov/health <http://www.nj.gov/health> . Public flu clinics will be posted on this site as soon as they are scheduled. Additional public health clinics will be scheduled as more vaccine arrives.” Fyi: We tried 10/28/09 accessing sites in Mercer and Sommerset Counties and found none scheduled; keep checking!

The State established an H1N1 Resource Center website that includes important information and timely updates on H1N1 flu in New Jersey. The website can be found at www.nj.gov/health. Additional information on H1N1 flu is available at the federal website, www.flu.gov

PATIENTS who have PRIORITY to receive the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine first:

Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by minimizing their exposure to the virus;
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity.
Children from 6 months through 24 years because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in people who are close together in day care settings and school, which increases spread of disease.

(Note pregnant woman, children under 2 years, adults older than 50 years and all high risk patients with weakened immune system, chronic lung or heart disease should wait for the injectable Inactivated Vaccine).

DOSING: The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine for persons 10 years or older. Children under 10 years will need two doses. Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to receive the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines. The CDC (Center of Disease Control) recommends that the two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine be separated by 4 weeks (and a minimum of 3 weeks). The inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine (injection) may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the seasonal flu vaccine. The live attenuated 2009 H1N1 vaccine (nasal spray) may be given at the same time as most other vaccines. The nasal spray vaccine for seasonal flu and the nasal spray vaccine for H1N1 should NOT be given together. Please tell us if you received any other vaccines within the past month or plan to receive any within the next 30 days.

RISKS and SIDE EFFECTS from the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are similar to those from the seasonal flu vaccine. The occurrence of Guillain-Barre Syndrome following the Seasonal Flu Vaccine has been observed to be less than 1 per million doses given; this is less than the observed rate of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in the general population. The Nasal Spray Vaccine might cause 1) Runny nose and nasal congestion, 2) Cough, 3) Wheezing, 4) Fever and chills, 5)Headaches and muscle aches, 6)Sore throat, 7) Stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea 8) Tiredness or weakness. The INJECTABLE VACCINE might cause: 1)Redness, soreness or swelling at the injection site, 2) Fainting (mainly teenagers) 3) Headaches and muscle aches, 4) Fever and 5) Nausea. If these problems occur, they will begin within the first few hours and usually disappear within 24-48 hours of the injection.

For MORE INFORMATION: Please check the CDC site: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
For NJ information, go to: http://www.nj.gov/health/flu//h1n1/.
We will attempt to update our site every Thursday.