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Health Tips 10.13.2009 H1N1 Influenza Questions and Answers H1N1 Influenza Questions and Answers We’ve been receiving a lot of questions regarding the H1N1 influenza and the vaccine. In an effort to address some of these questions, please read the following: Q: When are you going to have the H1N1 vaccine? A: The vaccine will be distributed by the federal government through state agencies to local health departments and physicians for administration as quickly as possible. South Tulsa Pediatrics (STP) has signed a provider agreement with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and may receive a supply of this vaccine to administer to our patients. We will post a notice on our website when the vaccine becomes available. When available, we will administer the H1N1 vaccine on a first-come, first-served basis. Check our website regularly for information about availability and vaccine administration clinics. Q: Should my child receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine? A: STP physicians are following the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) recommendation which states that vaccination efforts should focus initially on persons in five target groups (not in priority order): • Pregnant women • Persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months • Healthcare and emergency services personnel • Persons aged 6 months to 24 years, and • Persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications. Q: Where can my child receive the H1N1 vaccine? A: It is expected that the vaccine will be available through a number of different venues – the public health department, schools, and pharmacies as well as physician’s offices. Your child may receive the vaccine at any location, however, we would emphasize that your child should be screened for health conditions before consent is given. If your child receives the H1N1 vaccine elsewhere, please obtain written documentation and provide it to our office so that our vaccination records can be updated. Q: Does the H1N1 vaccine contain live influenza virus? A: There are two formulations of the H1N1 flu vaccine – FluMist nasal spray which contains live, weakened influenza virus and is available to persons over 2 through 49 years of age. As with seasonal FluMist, there is a higher incidence of wheezing in children prone to respiratory illnesses (asthma, wheezing episodes within the last year, use of inhaled steroids). These children should be discouraged from taking the FluMist. The other formulation of H1N1 influenza vaccine is an inactivated (killed virus), injectable vaccine (shot), available in a preservative free vaccine for children 6 to 36 months of age and a vaccine containing small amounts of thimerosol (preservative) for children and adults over age 3. Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose. Q: Does my child need the H1N1 vaccine if they’ve already had the flu or flu-like symptoms? A: According to the CDC, The symptoms of influenza (flu-like illnesses) are similar to those caused by other viruses. Even when influenza viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses. Specific testing is needed in order to tell if an illness is caused by a specific influenza strain or by some other virus. This test is different from rapid flu tests that doctors can do in their offices. Most people with flu-like illnesses will not know whether they have been infected with 2009 H1N1 flu or a different virus. Therefore, if you were ill but do not know if you had 2009 H1N1 infection, you should get vaccinated, if your doctor recommends it. So, most people recommended for 2009 H1N1 vaccination should be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine regardless of whether they had a flu-like illness earlier in the year. If you have had confirmed 2009 H1N1 flu, you should have some immunity against 2009 H1N1 flu and can choose not to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be harmful. Q: If my child gets the H1N1 flu, what is the treatment? A: We are following the CDC’s recommendations for the use of antiviral medications, which are dependent on the age, severity of the illness, and any pre-existing conditions of the patient. Use fever-reducing medications if there is a fever. Call the office if there are further questions. « back to archive |
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