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Preparing For Flu Season 2009-2010

What is the flu (or influenza)?

The flu is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu usually spreads through the air from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.

This year your child may be exposed to two different types of flu infections.

The "seasonal" flu is the usual influenza that occurs every year. The H1N1 flu, commonly known as "the Swine Flu", is a new virus. H1N1 is a new virus so more individuals are susceptible to becoming ill.

Both strains of the flu can cause mild or severe illness, and at times death. The risk of getting a severe case of the flu is about the same for both strains of virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people recover from the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu on their own, without medical attention.

What are the symptoms of the common "seasonal" flu?

• Fever, headache, tiredness (extreme), sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches

What are the symptoms of the H1N1 (Swine Flu)?

• Cough, nausea, chills, and diarrhea

Flu Prevention

How do I reduce the risk of getting the flu and other viral respiratory infections?

• Wash hands often, especially during winter months when the flu is most common
• Keep hands away from nose, eyes, and mouth. Viruses are most likely to enter the body through these areas.
• Stop smoking. It irritates the lining of the nose, sinuses, and lungs, which may make the body susceptible to complications of the flu and also could affect your child's health.

The "Seasonal" Flu Information:

What types of vaccines are there?

• For pediatric patients there are the two vaccine options during the "seasonal" flu, an injectable vaccine and the FluMist ® nasal spray. FluMist is a live influenza virus vaccine administered intranasally.
  • The injection can be given to all children ages 6 months - 18 years, and is generally covered by insurance.
  • The FluMist® is for healthy children 2 years - 18 years, but generally not covered by insurance.
  • Children with severe egg allergy, prior severe reaction to flu vaccine or a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should not receive the flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. Please let your doctor know about any egg allergies or a history of Guillain - Barre Syndrome before making your appointment.

• For adult patients, there are two vaccines available.
  • Injectable inactivated influenza vaccine.
  • FluMist is available for healthy adults less than 50 years of age.

Who should receive the Seasonal Flu Vaccine?
Due to the limited supply of "Seasonal" Flu vaccine, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that any person >6 months at increased risk for complications of influenza should be vaccinated.

For a summary of influenza vaccination recommendations for adults this flu season, please refer to the CDC's 2009-10 Influenza Prevention & Control Recommendations for seasonal flu

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information:

An H1N1 Vaccine is currently in production. It will be available to be given in conjunction with the current "seasonal" flu vaccine. The vaccine is expected to be available sometime in October or November.

Who should receive the H1N1 Vaccine?
For official recommendation and explanation of who should receive the vaccine please refer to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)'s website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm

The CDC has determined priority groups for people they believe are at high risk for contracting the virus. Once we get the vaccine, we will follow the guidelines established by the CDC for administration to each group. Please keep in mind, the priority groups are subject to change.

The CDC recommended groups for H1N1 influenza vaccinations are as follows:

• pregnant women,
• persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers),
• health-care and emergency medical services personnel,
• persons aged 6 months-24 years, and
• persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications
  

How many shots are required?
For infants and children between 6 months -10 years old: 2 vaccinations given 1 month apart are required. All other high risk groups require only one vaccination.

Status of Vaccine Availability for Cedars-Sinai Medical Group Patients

Updated October 29, 2009

This flu season many different manufacturers are making the H1N1 flu vaccine. Although there are some manufacturers who make vaccines for all ages over 6 months old, some manufacturers can only make flu vaccines for certain age groups (based on the FDA requirements).

Our medical group has ordered vaccine for all age groups, however not all types of vaccine have arrived yet. We anticipate that all H1N1 flu vaccine types should be arriving soon. Please see below for details and check back on this website for updates.

Infants, ages 6mos - 24mos:

H1N1 Vaccine - Distribution for the H1N1 vaccines has not been determined. Check back here for updates.

Children, 2 - 4 years of age:

H1N1 Vaccine - Currently, we only have the nasal spray H1N1 vaccine for this age group. We do recommend this form for children in this age group unless the child has had asthma or wheezing (such as needing an inhaler). Check back here for updates of injection form availability.

Children, 4-9 years of age:

H1N1 Vaccine - Currently, we have the nasal spray and injectable H1N1 vaccine for this age group. However, since the supply has been fluctuating, you may be offered either the nasal spray form or the injectable form. We recommend either form for this age group. However, your child should not receive the nasal spray if he or she has asthma or wheezing (such as needing an inhaler). Check back here for updates on availability.

Children, 9-18 years of age:

H1N1 Vaccine - Although both forms of the vaccine are safe for children in this age group, the supply is very limited at this time. Therefore the CDC is recommending to us that children 10 and older, NOT receive the vaccine at this time, UNLESS they have a sibling less than 6 months of age. When more vaccine becomes available, we will start vaccinating children 10 and older.

Adults, 18 - 65 years of age:

H1N1 Vaccine - Based on CDC's identified high risk groups for the H1N1 flu, and due to the limited supply we have at the moment, H1N1 Vaccines are available for the following:

• Post-Partum Moms: These adults may receive either the nasal spray or injectable form, subject to availability and the usual recommendations for these vaccines. For an appointment, you can contact our injection center at (310)385-3534 ext 4, or schedule a vaccination during your 6 week check up at your OB-GYN office.
  
• Adults in the household of infants less than 6 months of age: These adults may receive either the nasal spray or injectable form, subject to availability and the usual recommendations for these vaccines. Please contact our injection center at (310)385-3534, for an appointment.
• Pregnant Women: H1N1 vaccines are available to pregnant women through their OB/GYN office. We receive small batches of shipment intermittently, so the current supply is limited. Check with your OB-GYN office for availability.

PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE FOR UPDATES REGARDING FLU VACCINE AVAILABILITY