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.

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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