Priority List for H1N1 Vaccine

The past week was very exciting for us at Elm Street Pediatrics. We were able to begin administering doses of the H1N1 vaccine to those patients and families in the high priority, or Tier 1, group. We apologize that at times there were some long waits in the office to receive the vaccine, but the demand is high and we are doing the best we can to vaccinate everyone in a timely manner.

That said, we are continuing this upcoming week with scheduling of the H1N1 vaccine for out Tier 1 families. IF YOU ARE IN THE TIER 1 GROUP, AND WE HAVE NOT CONTACTED YOU ABOUT RECEIVING THE VACCINE, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AND REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT SO THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE IT. We have done our best to identify those of you in that category; however, if we overlooked you or your family, please call to let us know so we can schedule you for the vaccine! Please note that we have not yet started vaccinating any children younger than age 2, as we have not yet received those vaccines in our office.

The vaccines we have received are the following:
* Inactivated shot for people over age 4
* Live nasal mist for people over 2 years of age
* THUS: we do NOT yet have any vaccines for patients age 6 mos-2 years old, and we are NOT able to vaccinate asthmatics under age 4, as they are ineligible to receive the nasal mist vaccine

Tier One patients are as follows:
* Pregnant women (must receive the inactivated vaccine -- not the nasal spray)
* People who live with and care for those less than 6 months of age
* Children 6 months to 4 years of age
* Children 5 to 18 years of age with chronic medical conditions that increase the risk for influenza-related complications (asthma, heart disease, diabetes, etc)

In addition, recent government-sponsored trials have shown the vaccine thus far to be both safe and effective; see the following for details:
http://www.flu.gov/news/blogs/2009niaid.html

Thanks and hope you are enjoying the surprising weather!!!
-esp