First H1N1 Vaccine Arrives as Disease Continues to Escalate

Vaccine Status

It was indeed a big week in that we were able to offer our first H1N1 vaccine. Over 200 children were vaccinated for H1N1 this week with the nasal mist form of the vaccine. A good start but really just a drop in the bucket compared to the numbers we hope to immunize. We also received 500 doses of injectable seasonal on Tuesday and that was gone by the end of Wednesday's flu shot clinic. We still do have some H1N1 mist left and hope to soon be able to offer the H1N1 injectable form. As soon as we get a sufficient supply that will sustain another clinic we will do so as soon as we can arrange. Stay tune to this site for that important announcement on our first injectable H1N1 clinic. We have been told that an additional 900 doses of seasonal will arrive this week. We apologize to those that plan well visits for this time of the year to receive the flu vaccine at the same time and no vaccine was available to give. We realize the inconvenience this creates and appreciate your patience. REMEMBER ALL CHILDREN 6 MONTHS OF AGE AND OLDER NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO BOTH THE SEASONAL AND THE H1N1 FLU IRREGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE HAD A FLU LIKE ILLNESS.

Disease Status

We all anxiously await the publication each week from the CDC regarding the status of the H1N1 incidence across the US hoping that we will soon see a significant change in the trends of the disease. So far no such news. There is now widespread disease in 41 states and the percentage of office visits across the US for flu related disease continues to increase and now surpasses the peak reached two years ago in the 07/08 flu season when the vaccine missed the predominate strains that circulated that year. The only place not experiencing any H1N1 in the US and it's territories is the US Virgin Islands. Yeah, me too, but I don't think we can all go.
We continue to see no drop in numbers in our office.

Tamiflu and H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine

Those that are currently on Tamiflu should wait 48 hours after the last dose to receive the live spray vaccine. Once you take the vaccine, use of Tamiflu within 2 weeks of taking the nasal spray vaccine could alter your response and NOT provide the protection needed. Be sure to tell your physician if you are sick, and think you have the flu and have recently taken the live vaccine spray. This should rarely occur since those that are given Tamiflu are usually those at high risk in which the live nasal spray is contraindicated.

Mixing and Matching the Vaccines

The only vaccines that can NOT be given together are the 2 nasal spray vaccines for H1N1 and seasonal flu. The injections for both seasonal and H1N1 can be given together and an injectable of one can safely be given with the nasal spray of the other. The second dose of the H1N1 as well as the second dose of the seasonal if this is the first year your child is receiving the seasonal, should be the same form as the first dose if at all possible. It is not contraindicated to get the other form as a second dose and no further dosing will be needed but the studies have only been done so far with both doses being the same form. This may be an issue as we reach second dose time in that we can only give what the government allocates to us. Hopefully the spray will remain in good supply so that this recommendation can be enforced.