Flu Vaccine Update: Spring 2010

Influenza causes symptoms which may include sudden onset of high fever, chills, generalized muscle and body aches, fatigue, and headache. Respiratory symptoms including dry cough, sore throat, runny nose and swollen glands may also develop. Remember, there are many illnesses that can mimic influenza, but if your child does develop these or similar symptoms, feel free to call PMA for advice and to make an appointment if necessary. Also, remember to NEVER administer aspirin if you think your child may have the flu.

This season is unlike previous ones in that over the past year, we have seen a number of cases of the so-called “swine flu” or novel H1N1 influenza; however, cases have not been reported in this region for several months. Even more unusual is that we have not yet seen the emergence of seasonal influenza this year, which usually is seen from around November through April. A resurgence of either virus is possible, and we continue to urge appropriate groups to get vaccinated.

For protection against seasonal influenza, PMA is recommending that children at high risk of developing flu should be vaccinated against the illness beginning in October. High priority groups include:

• ALL children aged 6 months through 18 years of age;
• Children 6 months or older with underlying chronic medical conditions, ie. heart or lung conditions including asthma, or other chronic conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease; and 
• Children 6 months to 18 years on long term aspirin therapy.

The CDC also recommends that household contacts and caregivers of children from birth through 5 years of age receive the seasonal flu vaccine. PMA has exhausted our supply of the seasonal flu vaccine for the 2009-2010 season, and at this point, do not anticipate we will be offering further doses this season. If your child has not yet been vaccinated with seasonal flu vaccine we recommend you contact your local health department to see if further supply is available.

Your child should not receive the vaccine if he/she:  

• Has a severe allergy to eggs
• Had a previous severe reaction to the vaccine
• Developed a paralytic condition called Guillain-Barre´ syndrome within 6 weeks of previously receiving the vaccine
• Has a moderate to severe illness with fever (wait until your child is better before receiving the vaccine)
• Is less than 6 months of age

Current recommendations are for all children aged 6 months to less than 9 years to receive 2 doses of vaccine one month apart, if they have not received flu vaccine in previous years. For children in those age groups who received 1 dose in their first year of vaccination, 2 doses are recommended the following year, with single annual doses in subsequent years. Note that we anticipate having adequate supplies of the inactivated, injectible flu vaccine for your child. However, we have chosen not to offer the live intranasal vaccine (FluMist) during the 2009-2010 flu season.

PMA has had adequate supplies of both seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine this past winter. As of April 1, 2010, we have no further supply of either vaccine. Check with your local health department as they may still have some vaccine in stock. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child, and feel you may be a suitable candidate for the vaccine, call your own personal physician to ask about vaccine availability. Here is a helpful link which addresses some common questions about flu vaccine. A detailed monograph on seasonal flu can be found here.

Note that seasonal flu vaccines will not provide protection against the H1N1 influenza (swine flu). For the upcoming 2010-2011 flu season, it is anticipated that the two vaccines may combined into one immunization. Check our website regularly for flu vaccine updates. Additional information on the H1N1 vaccine can be found here.

Please call our office if you have further questions.    

Updated April 2010