Good News / Bad News

Good News

The vaccine is reported to begin shipping this week. Remember the federal then the state government is responsible for dispensing the vaccine and we can only sit and wait for it to happen. Initial vaccine received may be the nasal spray. There are restrictions for the nasal spray form so please review the following closely:
You should not get 2009 H1N1 LAIV (nasal spray form)if you have a severe
(life-threatening) allergy to eggs, or to any other substance
in the vaccine. Tell the person giving you the vaccine if you
have any severe allergies.
2009 H1N1 LAIV should not be given to the following groups.
• children younger than 2 and adults 50 years and older
• pregnant women,
• anyone with a weakened immune system,
• anyone with a long-term health problem such as
- heart disease - kidney or liver disease
- lung disease - metabolic disease such as diabetes
- asthma - anemia and other blood disorders
• children younger than 5 years with asthma or one or more
episodes of wheezing during the past year,
• anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as
cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing
problems,
• anyone in close contact with a person with a severely
weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected
environment, such as a bone marrow transplant unit),
• children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment.
If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be advised to
wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. If you have
a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no need to wait.

Of course a lot of the above patients listed as restricted from getting the nasal form are the ones that need it most. The injectable form should follow within the week.

The other good news is the CDC is now reporting that for the first time since this outbreak began, the percentage of people in the US reporting flu like symptoms has decreased. This is the population as a whole and the disease continues to increase in certain areas of the country and decrease in others. In South Carolina we have gone from widespread disease to regional disease. Our office has not yet seen a decline.

THE VACCINE IS STILL IMPORTANT! We still don't have a clue on the natural course of this unique situation. It is possible that the number of infections could continue to decline and the virus go dormant and then we get to face the usual seasonal flu come December through February. That would be the obvious best case scenario. Betting on that scenario and not getting the H1N1 vaccine could have significant consequences. There is no guarantee that the virus won't pick up speed again or change in a way that could become more virulent and cause more severe disease. We have seen a lot of children that had suspected H1N1 infection. The CDC recommends that everyone including those that have had symptoms suggestive of H1N1 get vaccinated.

Bad News

We may unfortunately experience some temporary shortages of the Seasonal Flu Vaccine. We order our vaccine the winter prior to the flu shot season. We have them deliver it in three shipments to cover our demand. We received our first shipments but have been told that the second will be delayed. Apparently, in the manufacturers haste to get the H1N1 vaccine to us, they have developed shortages in the seasonal form. Again, we are at the mercy of others when trying to provide these important services to our patients. We plan as best as we can but then have to alter those plans based on others actions. We respect your concerns and appreciate your patience as we do everything possible to assure that any inconvience or delay will be minimized. Any changes in our clinics due to this shortage will be posted on this blog.

The CDC reported this week that the hospitalization rate due to H1N1 is actually increased for children relative to the rate seen typically during seasonal flu season. This would translate into a higher risk of more serious illness due to H1N1 in the pediatric population. This needs to be watched closely as we enter the real flu season.

Two doses of H1N1 will be required for all those less then ten years of age. The recommended interval is 4 weeks with second doses no sooner then three weeks apart.