H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccines
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.