BAPMG News
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Availability
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 22:30
Dear parents / teens:
Bay Area Pediatric Medical Group is starting to receive initial doses of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. San Mateo County Public Health distributes the vaccine to us as it is released by the government. To start with we are getting the "FluMist" version (given as a spray in the nose) but the shot version is expected in the next one to two weeks. Supplies will be limited at first but we expect more vaccine from November through January. We have been asked to start vaccinating only certain higher-risk groups of patients until the supply increases.
The priority groups will be:
- Persons 6-mos through 24 years old. Yes, basically everyone who is a patient in our practice! Children between 6-mos and 9 years will need two doses a month apart even if they had two doses of seasonal flu vaccine in the past.
- People who live with, or care for, children younger than 6 months of age because the vaccine is not appropriate for children under 6-mos of age. In this unique year, the public health department has asked us to vaccinate parents and caregivers of children less than 6 mos old if supplies permit.
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel.
- Pregnant women.
- People 25 - 64 years of age with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
The two types of vaccine:
Like the seasonal vaccine, the H1N1 comes in as a nose spray (called FluMist or LAIV) and injectable forms. We expect them to work equally well for you and your children. The FluMist spray will not be given to children less than 2 years old or adults over 49 years old. If you are pregnant, have been diagnosed with asthma or many other chronic illnesses, like diabetes, you will need to wait for the injectable version of the vaccine.
What to do:
If you fit the above criteria, we recommend that you call your usual office to arrange an appointment for the vaccine.
More Information: BAP Prev. Note S. M. Public Health Flu Site CDC Flu Site