As of today, the Cook County Department of Public Health has started scheduling H1N1 flu vaccines for next week for Cook County residents. To schedule for them, please call the following phone number: 847-818-2860, and then hit option 1 followed by option 1. For details please see this link:
http://www.cookcountypublichealth.org/files/Fludocs/h1n1%20vaccine%20flyer_10-29-09.pdf
For non-Cook County residents, please see the following link through the Illinois Department of Public Health:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/sf_vaccine_locations.htm
We still anticipate receiving the vaccine in our office in the next 1-2 weeks. However, if you are a high-risk family (child under 6 months, asthma, heart disease, other chronic illness), you may want to try to schedule to receive it at one of the Cook County Department of Public Health Locations through the above phone number.
Some pharmacies in our area have also told us they will be getting the vaccine next week, and they will be scheduling clinics at their locations as well, so please call them for further information. It is possible that these pharmacies will receive the vaccine before the Elm Street Pediatrics office receives it. This link has some information regarding those locations as well (scroll to your town to see those pharmacies):
http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/vaccine_locations/sf_vaccine_locations_cook.htm
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
H1N1
Unfortunately, we at Elm Street Pediatrics still do not know the answer to the most-asked question this month, "when are you getting the H1N1 vaccine?". Unlike other vaccines, which we purchase and therefore can predict when we will receive them, the H1N1 vaccine was produced with government monies. Thus, the government decides who gets it and when... which is why some schools and public health departments have received it before us, the private offices.
We have been told we may be receiving the vaccine in early November. We hope this is the case, and promise to update this newsletter as soon as we do have it. At that time we will be scheduling clinics to administer the vaccine, first for high-risk patients and then according to supply and demand.
As many of you know, we have seen an increase in the amount of H1N1 influenza in our community this month. Please see previous posts for details regarding symptoms and treatment. As a result, our office staff, nurses, and physicians have seen a significant increase in number of phone calls received. We are doing our best to get back to you as soon as possible; however, please do not hesitate to call back if your call is not returned in a timely fashion.
Finally, there was in interesting post on NPR this past week regarding the spread of viruses. If any of you are interested, the link is: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114075029.
As always, stay healthy and enjoy the fall colors. We would especially like to welcome back Dr Susan Nelson, who has returned to the office this week... it is wonderful to have her back. Thanks for reading!
- esp
We have been told we may be receiving the vaccine in early November. We hope this is the case, and promise to update this newsletter as soon as we do have it. At that time we will be scheduling clinics to administer the vaccine, first for high-risk patients and then according to supply and demand.
As many of you know, we have seen an increase in the amount of H1N1 influenza in our community this month. Please see previous posts for details regarding symptoms and treatment. As a result, our office staff, nurses, and physicians have seen a significant increase in number of phone calls received. We are doing our best to get back to you as soon as possible; however, please do not hesitate to call back if your call is not returned in a timely fashion.
Finally, there was in interesting post on NPR this past week regarding the spread of viruses. If any of you are interested, the link is: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114075029.
As always, stay healthy and enjoy the fall colors. We would especially like to welcome back Dr Susan Nelson, who has returned to the office this week... it is wonderful to have her back. Thanks for reading!
- esp
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Yet Another Influenza Vaccine Update
What are We Seeing at Elm Street Pediatrics??
As many of you are aware, the past few weeks have seen an increase in the number of cases of H1N1 influenza seen in our office. So yes, the H1N1 influenza is here and we are seeing it. However, the seasonal flu has, for the most part, not shown up yet. It typically does not appear until December or January. We expect this to be true this year as well. What this means, is that virtually anybody confirmed of having Influenza most likely has H1N1, since that is the only strain of influenza currently in circulation in Chicago.
Do We Have the H1N1 Vaccine Yet??
No. We have not yet received any H1N1 vaccine. We hope and expect this to happen in the next 1-2 weeks. Keep checking back here for updates.
When Can the H1N1 Vaccine Be Given? What if I just got the Seasonal Flu Vaccine??
The seasonal flu vaccine comes in 2 forms, live (nasal) and inactivated (shot). The H1N1 vaccine comes in the same two forms, live (nasal) and inactivated (shot). Like other live vaccines, such as MMR and Varicella, 2 live vaccines must be separated by 4 weeks (unless they are given on the same day, which is allowed). The exception to this is that the H1N1 nasal live vaccine can NOT be given on the same day as the seasonal live nasal vaccine. So if you just had the live seasonal vaccine (nasal), you must wait 4 weeks before getting the nasal H1N1. However, you can get the inactivated shot any time. And vice versa. And there is no minimum interval between H1N1 shot and seasonal flu shot.
How long to wait between doses of the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccines?
The ideal time frame between initial dose and booster dose is 4 weeks, though as little as 3 weeks is acceptable. For children under age 10, the CDC currently recommends both an initial and a booster dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Whether this will actually be possible will depend on how much vaccine is actually shipped to our office and the Chicago area.
What If I can get the vaccine for my child at school?
We recommend that if you want your child to be vaccinated, and can receive it somewhere other than our office, that you go ahead and do so. We do not know for sure when we will get it, or how much we will get. So if your school offers it, please take them up on the offer.
How much does the H1N1 vaccine cost??
The H1N1 vaccine itself is provided free from the government. As with any shot, there are charges associated with the administration fee. If the office visit is for the H1N1 shot ONLY, you will NOT be initially charged a co-pay. However, it is POSSIBLE that you may be billed for the copay after the visit, depending on how the insurance company processes the administration charge.
What are the symptoms of H1N1??
The symptoms we have most seen are very similar to the seasonal flu. We are generally talking about the "respiratory flu", not the "stomach flu", though there can be vomiting with H1N1. Other common symptoms are fever (often high fevers), body aches, muscle aches, cough, runny nose or congestion, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Some less common symptoms include wheezing, hoarse voice or stridor, calf pain or tenderness, and ear pain.
********
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR READING OUR NEWSLETTER!!
We will continue to update it weekly, as well as when we receive the H1N1 vaccine, so keep checking back here for updates in the coming weeks!!! As always, feel free to call the office with any additional questions...
-esp
As many of you are aware, the past few weeks have seen an increase in the number of cases of H1N1 influenza seen in our office. So yes, the H1N1 influenza is here and we are seeing it. However, the seasonal flu has, for the most part, not shown up yet. It typically does not appear until December or January. We expect this to be true this year as well. What this means, is that virtually anybody confirmed of having Influenza most likely has H1N1, since that is the only strain of influenza currently in circulation in Chicago.
Do We Have the H1N1 Vaccine Yet??
No. We have not yet received any H1N1 vaccine. We hope and expect this to happen in the next 1-2 weeks. Keep checking back here for updates.
When Can the H1N1 Vaccine Be Given? What if I just got the Seasonal Flu Vaccine??
The seasonal flu vaccine comes in 2 forms, live (nasal) and inactivated (shot). The H1N1 vaccine comes in the same two forms, live (nasal) and inactivated (shot). Like other live vaccines, such as MMR and Varicella, 2 live vaccines must be separated by 4 weeks (unless they are given on the same day, which is allowed). The exception to this is that the H1N1 nasal live vaccine can NOT be given on the same day as the seasonal live nasal vaccine. So if you just had the live seasonal vaccine (nasal), you must wait 4 weeks before getting the nasal H1N1. However, you can get the inactivated shot any time. And vice versa. And there is no minimum interval between H1N1 shot and seasonal flu shot.
How long to wait between doses of the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccines?
The ideal time frame between initial dose and booster dose is 4 weeks, though as little as 3 weeks is acceptable. For children under age 10, the CDC currently recommends both an initial and a booster dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Whether this will actually be possible will depend on how much vaccine is actually shipped to our office and the Chicago area.
What If I can get the vaccine for my child at school?
We recommend that if you want your child to be vaccinated, and can receive it somewhere other than our office, that you go ahead and do so. We do not know for sure when we will get it, or how much we will get. So if your school offers it, please take them up on the offer.
How much does the H1N1 vaccine cost??
The H1N1 vaccine itself is provided free from the government. As with any shot, there are charges associated with the administration fee. If the office visit is for the H1N1 shot ONLY, you will NOT be initially charged a co-pay. However, it is POSSIBLE that you may be billed for the copay after the visit, depending on how the insurance company processes the administration charge.
What are the symptoms of H1N1??
The symptoms we have most seen are very similar to the seasonal flu. We are generally talking about the "respiratory flu", not the "stomach flu", though there can be vomiting with H1N1. Other common symptoms are fever (often high fevers), body aches, muscle aches, cough, runny nose or congestion, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Some less common symptoms include wheezing, hoarse voice or stridor, calf pain or tenderness, and ear pain.
********
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR READING OUR NEWSLETTER!!
We will continue to update it weekly, as well as when we receive the H1N1 vaccine, so keep checking back here for updates in the coming weeks!!! As always, feel free to call the office with any additional questions...
-esp
Thursday, October 15, 2009
MORE FLU VACCINE INFORMATION!
1. Seasonal Flu Vaccine
As a reminder, the seasonal flu vaccine is in short supply, due to manufacturers shifting their production plans. They had to make H1N1 vaccine quickly, and so they temporarily halted production of some of their seasonal Flu vaccine. Thus the shortage.
We currently have a limited supply of the seasonal Flu vaccine, and are restricting remaining doses to high-risk individuals. This includes younger children aged 6 mos-2 years, children with asthma, and those with other chronic diseases.
We will be receiving more supply of the seasonal flu vaccine next month, so if you have not received it yet, there is still time!! Remember, the seasonal flu does not appear typically until December or January, and has not appeared yet this year either. Getting vacccinated this November or December should provide more than enough time to build up immunity for the peak flu months of January, February, and March.
2. H1N1 Flu
As many of you know, we have started to see confirmed cases of the H1N1 (swine) flu in the north shore of Chicago. This has led to much parental concern, and many questions about the vaccine availability.
Unfortunately, we still have not received our shipment of the H1N1 Flu vaccine. We hope to have it in the next 2-3 weeks. When we do receive it, as noted in previous posts of this newsletter, it will be given to high-priority patients first, followed by healthy children after that. If your child is high-risk (asthma, family members of infants 0-6 months old, other chronic medical conditions), please call the office to have your child's name placed on the priority list -- that way we can call you when the vaccine is available and be sure to reserve doses for your family.
Additionally, some schools may have the vaccine available before we do at the office. If you would like your child to receive the vaccine, and it is offered at the school, we encourage you to sign them up for it as we do not know for certain when we will have it, or how many doses we will have. We will continue to update this post weekly as we have new information.
Thanks and stay healthy!
-esp
As a reminder, the seasonal flu vaccine is in short supply, due to manufacturers shifting their production plans. They had to make H1N1 vaccine quickly, and so they temporarily halted production of some of their seasonal Flu vaccine. Thus the shortage.
We currently have a limited supply of the seasonal Flu vaccine, and are restricting remaining doses to high-risk individuals. This includes younger children aged 6 mos-2 years, children with asthma, and those with other chronic diseases.
We will be receiving more supply of the seasonal flu vaccine next month, so if you have not received it yet, there is still time!! Remember, the seasonal flu does not appear typically until December or January, and has not appeared yet this year either. Getting vacccinated this November or December should provide more than enough time to build up immunity for the peak flu months of January, February, and March.
2. H1N1 Flu
As many of you know, we have started to see confirmed cases of the H1N1 (swine) flu in the north shore of Chicago. This has led to much parental concern, and many questions about the vaccine availability.
Unfortunately, we still have not received our shipment of the H1N1 Flu vaccine. We hope to have it in the next 2-3 weeks. When we do receive it, as noted in previous posts of this newsletter, it will be given to high-priority patients first, followed by healthy children after that. If your child is high-risk (asthma, family members of infants 0-6 months old, other chronic medical conditions), please call the office to have your child's name placed on the priority list -- that way we can call you when the vaccine is available and be sure to reserve doses for your family.
Additionally, some schools may have the vaccine available before we do at the office. If you would like your child to receive the vaccine, and it is offered at the school, we encourage you to sign them up for it as we do not know for certain when we will have it, or how many doses we will have. We will continue to update this post weekly as we have new information.
Thanks and stay healthy!
-esp
Thursday, October 8, 2009
INFLUENZA VACCINE UPDATE
October 7, 2009
Who Should Get Them?
As always, the seasonal Flu vaccine is recommended for all children ages 6 mos through 18 years.
It is especially important for children with asthma, heart disease, or other chronic medical conditions to get this vaccine.
It is also important for infants under age 2 and children under age 4, as they are a high risk group, as well as for caregivers and family members of infants under 6 months of age.
When Should They Be Given?
The typical Seasonal Flu season usually begins in December or January, so it is recommended to get vaccinated by the middle of December if possible.
The H1N1, or Swine Flu, season is different and has already appeared. We ARE seeing cases of this in the north shore area as of October, 2009.
Thus, the H1N1 vaccine is best given as soon as its available for the best protection.
What Forms of Flu Vaccine Exist?
There is an injectable "shot" that can be given to those above 6 months of age. This is NOT for individuals with severe egg allergy.
There is also a nasal spray "Flumist" that can be given to those above 2 years of age. This is NOT recommended for those with immune system problems or with asthma or recurrent wheezing.
Neither vaccines should be given to anyone who has had an allergic reaction to flu vaccine in the past, or who has had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
What Is Available At Elm Street Pediatrics For Seasonal Flu Vaccines?
For the Seasonal Flu, we currently as of October 2009 have adequate supplies of the Flumist to vaccinate all children who are able to receive it.
We also have injectable Flushot for those children who cannot get the mist, either due to age <2 years old or due to asthma or other chronic medical conditions.
However, like most other offices, our deliveries of the Flushot have been delayed due to the concern about H1N1 vaccine. Thus, we currently have a shortage of the injectable flu vaccine and are reserving the current stock of Flushot for those who cannot get the mist. Next month, in November, we expect to get the remaining doses of the Flu shot and it will be available at that time for the families who want it. Because the seasonal Flu does not start until December or January typically, this is ample time to receive the vaccine.
What Is Available At Elm Street Pediatrics For H1N1 Flu Vaccines?
Good question. We currently have not received our supply of this vaccine.
It is recommended that children under age 10 receive 2 doses, the second given 4-6 weeks (minimum 3 weeks) after the first. Children over 10 years old need only one dose.
Immunity develops approximately 10 days after the vaccine is given.
We anticipate being shipped the first doses by the middle to end of October and will update the blog every Thursday with details.
It will be given on a priority basis according to a Tier System:
Tier 1: pregnant women, healthcare workers, families with infants <6 mos old, children aged 6 mos-4 yrs, and children aged 5-18 yrs with asthma or chronic medical conditions
Tier 2: healthy people aged 5-24 yrs, people aged 25-64 yrs with chronic medical conditions
Tier 3: all others
As the H1N1 Flu is currently being seen in our area, this vaccine will be given out as soon as we receive our shipment.
For details about this vaccine and lists of who gets it first, and for information about treatment, please see the links below.
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antiviral.htm
Who Should Get Them?
As always, the seasonal Flu vaccine is recommended for all children ages 6 mos through 18 years.
It is especially important for children with asthma, heart disease, or other chronic medical conditions to get this vaccine.
It is also important for infants under age 2 and children under age 4, as they are a high risk group, as well as for caregivers and family members of infants under 6 months of age.
When Should They Be Given?
The typical Seasonal Flu season usually begins in December or January, so it is recommended to get vaccinated by the middle of December if possible.
The H1N1, or Swine Flu, season is different and has already appeared. We ARE seeing cases of this in the north shore area as of October, 2009.
Thus, the H1N1 vaccine is best given as soon as its available for the best protection.
What Forms of Flu Vaccine Exist?
There is an injectable "shot" that can be given to those above 6 months of age. This is NOT for individuals with severe egg allergy.
There is also a nasal spray "Flumist" that can be given to those above 2 years of age. This is NOT recommended for those with immune system problems or with asthma or recurrent wheezing.
Neither vaccines should be given to anyone who has had an allergic reaction to flu vaccine in the past, or who has had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
What Is Available At Elm Street Pediatrics For Seasonal Flu Vaccines?
For the Seasonal Flu, we currently as of October 2009 have adequate supplies of the Flumist to vaccinate all children who are able to receive it.
We also have injectable Flushot for those children who cannot get the mist, either due to age <2 years old or due to asthma or other chronic medical conditions.
However, like most other offices, our deliveries of the Flushot have been delayed due to the concern about H1N1 vaccine. Thus, we currently have a shortage of the injectable flu vaccine and are reserving the current stock of Flushot for those who cannot get the mist. Next month, in November, we expect to get the remaining doses of the Flu shot and it will be available at that time for the families who want it. Because the seasonal Flu does not start until December or January typically, this is ample time to receive the vaccine.
What Is Available At Elm Street Pediatrics For H1N1 Flu Vaccines?
Good question. We currently have not received our supply of this vaccine.
It is recommended that children under age 10 receive 2 doses, the second given 4-6 weeks (minimum 3 weeks) after the first. Children over 10 years old need only one dose.
Immunity develops approximately 10 days after the vaccine is given.
We anticipate being shipped the first doses by the middle to end of October and will update the blog every Thursday with details.
It will be given on a priority basis according to a Tier System:
Tier 1: pregnant women, healthcare workers, families with infants <6 mos old, children aged 6 mos-4 yrs, and children aged 5-18 yrs with asthma or chronic medical conditions
Tier 2: healthy people aged 5-24 yrs, people aged 25-64 yrs with chronic medical conditions
Tier 3: all others
As the H1N1 Flu is currently being seen in our area, this vaccine will be given out as soon as we receive our shipment.
For details about this vaccine and lists of who gets it first, and for information about treatment, please see the links below.
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)