We have H1N1 Flu shots available for the general public NOW.

I received an update from the Director of Maricopa County Department of Public Health yesterday. The H1N1 FLu shots will be made available to the general public from Saturday December 19, 2009 but if we have extra doses on hand we could make it available now so we are giving it out to the general public now.

If you have not had the shot, call our office on 480-598-4145 for an appointment to get the shot. If you are not a patient of Kyrene Medical Center, you have to be seen by physician in our office to be given the shot.

Have a great and safe Holidays

We still have the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Shots in our office but I would like to clarify some of the issues. The CDC Is recommending we give the shots to high risk patients first. If you are a patient of ours and have not received the shot, ask your doctor if you are in the high risk group so you can get the shot.

If you are not a patient of ours, you have to be seen by physician in our office as a patient, and if you are in the high risk group, you will be given the shot.

Here is the 5 target groups recommended by the CDC.

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
  • Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
  • Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

We are waiting for the CDC to open up vaccinations for the general public and will notify you when the CDC does that.

We have the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Shots available in our office. If you have not had your shots yet, please call our office on 480-598-4145 today.

Here are a few Questions and answers from CDC about he H1N1 (Swine Flu)

How many doses of vaccine are required?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older. This is slightly different from CDC’s recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination which states that children younger than 9 who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses. Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

What is the recommended interval between the first and second dose for children 9 years of age and under?
CDC recommends that the two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine be separated by 4 weeks. However, if the second dose is separated from the first dose by at least 21 days, the second dose can be considered valid.

Do those that have been previously vaccinated against the 1976 swine influenza need to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza?
The 1976 swine flu virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus are different enough that it's unlikely a person vaccinated in 1976 will have full protection from the 2009 H1N1. People vaccinated in 1976 should still be given the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

Can people who are allergic to eggs receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine?
People who are allergic to eggs might be at risk for allergic reactions from receiving influenza vaccines, including the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. People who have had any of the following symptoms or experiences should consult with a doctor or other medical professional before considering any influenza vaccination:

* hives or swelling of the lips or tongue
* acute respiratory distress (trouble breathing) after eating eggs
* documented hypersensitivity to eggs, including those who have had asthma related to egg exposure at their workplace or other allergic responses to egg protein 

Because children with severe asthma are at high risk of serious complications from influenza, a regimen has been developed for giving influenza vaccine to children with severe asthma and egg hypersensitivity.

Kyrene Medical Center Internal Medicine is pleased to annouce that beginning Novermber 1, 2009 we will be accepting patients with the following insurances

Maricopa Health Plan
University Family Care
University Physician Healthcare Group

Maricopa Health Plan (MHP) has been providing complete health care services to families, moms and kids in Maricopa County for nearly 20 years. read more about Maricopa Health Plan

University Family Care is a health plan for AHCCCS. AHCCCS is Arizona’s Medicaid program. University Family Care has been serving members with respect, dignity and compassion since 1983. Read more about University Family Care.

University Physicians Healthcare Group is a health plan for small business owners with 2 to 50 employees. read more about University Physicians Healthcare Group

If you have any of the plans and want to be seen in our office please call our office on 480-598-4145 and you will be scheduled for an appointment.

We are currently accepting other AHCCCS plans including Phoenix Health, Mercy Care plan, APIPA.