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By Lyanne Melendez
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A new report by one of the manufacturers of the H1N1 vaccine finds not only is it safe, but 99 percent effective in protecting people from swine flu. That report once again stresses something all parents need to know about making the vaccine effective for their children.
Link to story: ABC 7
We recently received a limited quanity of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) manufactured by MedImmune LLC which is approved for persons aged 2-49 years.
In general, these are the target high risk group to administer H1N1 vaccine to:
• 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.
Please call our office (415) 732-7029 and ask to speak to a doctor to see if the LAIV vaccine is right for you. The administration cost for the vaccine is $27.43 (current discounts and promotional offers do not apply towards cost). We have a limited supply and will be administered on a first come, first serve bases and priority will be give to those classified in the high risk group
Here are some key points regarding the LAIV vaccine that we have received:
• Children younger than 2 years, pregnant women, and people with underlying conditions such as lung disease and diabetes — although they are at high risk for H1N1 complications — should not receive vaccines with the live attenuated virus. Instead, they should wait until inactivated injectable vaccines become available.
• Children aged 6 months–9 years receiving influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccines should receive 2 doses, with doses separated by approximately 4 weeks; persons aged ≥10 years should receive 1 dose
• None of the approved influenza A 2009 (H1N1) monovalent vaccines or seasonal influenza vaccines contains adjuvants (stuff used to augment the vaccine by stimulating the immune system). And, only the injectable vaccine in multi-dose vials contain thimerasol mercury which is used as a preservative.
• All flu vaccines (seasonal and H1N1) contain residual egg protein and should not be given to those with egg allergies.
• The age groups, precautions, and contraindications approved for the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine are identical to those approved for seasonal flu vaccines. In fact, the injectable vaccines are made by some of the same manufacturers and preliminary data indicate that the immunogenicity and safety of these vaccines are similar to those of seasonal influenza vaccines.
• Once vaccination programs and providers are meeting the demand for H1N1 vaccine among the persons in the five initial target groups, vaccination should be expanded to all persons aged 25–64 years. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons aged ≥65 years is less than the risk for persons in younger age groups.
GOOD NEWS: Surveillance data indicate that the 2009 H1N1 viruses have not undergone substantial antigenic change since they were first characterized in April 2009 and should be well-matched to the monovalent vaccine strain.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about H1N1 and the Flu from the CDC
The influenza virus is mostly spread from person to person, in respiratory droplets, by coughing and sneezing. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object; and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.
Preventative Measures
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often; especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands. Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by a sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
• Stay home if you are sick and stay away from sick people.
• Avoid close contact (less than about 6 feet away) with a sick person as much as possible.
• Wear a facemask when sharing common spaces with people who have or are suspected of having influenza.
Using Facemasks
• If you must have close contact with a sick person (for example, hold a sick infant), spend the least amount of time possible in close contact and try to wear an N95 disposable facemask.
• An N95 facemask that fits snugly on your face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask.
• Wear a mask if you help a sick person with respiratory treatments using a nebulizer or inhaler, as directed by their doctor. Respiratory treatments should be performed in a separate room away from common areas of the house when at all possible.
• Used N95 facemasks should be taken off and placed immediately in the regular trash so they don’t touch anything else.
• Avoid re-using disposable N95 facemasks if possible.After you take off a facemask, clean your
hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer