Influenza Vaccines for 2010

As of 1/13/10, we are out of seasonal and H1N1 (Swine) vaccine.       

H1N1 VACCINE UPDATE

H1N1 vaccine comes in two forms:

1.  Nasal spray, which can be used in children older than age 2 who do not have asthma or certain other conditions.

2.  Injectable flu vaccine, which can be used in all children older than six months of age.  This vaccine containes thimerosol as a preservative.

Over the past decade there has been considerable discussion about the safety of thimerosol-containing vaccines.  There have been more than 15 scientifically performed studies over this time, large studies involving thousands of children, which have shown thimerosol-containing vaccines specifically and vaccines in general to be safe.  The physicians of Amherst Pediatrics believe the H1N1 vaccine to be safe and encourage its use.  It is our opinion, as well as the opinion of the New York State Commissioner of Health, that the risk of contracting H1N1 influenza is far greater than any risk of the vaccine.

H1N1 Symptoms

The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in peole are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.  A significant number of people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Like seasonal flu, complications can occur with H1N1 flu.  Seek emergency medical care if your child becomes ill and experiences any of the following warning signs:

• fast breathing
• trouble breathing
• bluish or gray skin color
• not drinking enough fluids
• not urinating as much as usual
• severe or persistent vomiting
• not waking up or interacting as usual
• being so irritable that your child does not even want to be held
• fever returns after being absent for a day, or a significant change in fever pattern occurs. 

It is important that your child not be exposed to other children who are sick, and that if your child has a flu-like illness that he or she does not expose other people, in order to keep from spreading illness.

Some things you can do to keep you and your child healthy:

• cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 
• wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• avoid close contact with sick people.

For more information you can refer to www.flu.gov