We still have both injectable and nasal spray versions of H1N1 vaccine in stock. If your child has still not been vaccinated against H1N1, we recommend it.

This past fall we gave more doses of seasonal flu vaccine than ever in the past. We are now out of this vaccine, and we expect the yearly seasonal flu epidemic to start any day now. We are trying to obtain more seasonal vaccine, but whether we will succeed is doubtful.

We now have plenty of H1N1 vaccine in-stock, however, both the nasal spray and the injectable versions.

Children can receive the nasal spray version if they are 2 years or older, and if they have no history of significant asthma. The injectable version can be given to any child from age 6 months onward.

Although there seems to be a lull in the H1N1 epidemic right now, a new spike in the rates of this illness is likely to be seen in the spring. While it remains true that the illness is less severe than first feared, and no more severe than the regular seasonal flu, public health authorities continue to recommend that all children get vaccinated and we agree. Fears about the safety of this vaccine are unfounded. We have seen no significant side effects from either version of the vaccine in our patients, and although it is a "special edition", it was made in exactly the same manner as all flu vaccines have been for decades.

Call the office to book an appointment if you want your child(ren) to receive a dose of H1N1 vaccine. Please understand that due to staffing issues, our ability to offer vaccine appointments after school or in the evenings is limited. The visit will be very quick, but it may need to occur during school hours.

Please do NOT call or email our providers with questions about this vaccine - consult our website and the links to other sources of information you will find there instead. Our recommendations in a nutshell are:

1. Healthy children: we recommend the vaccine for all because its safe & effective and may prevent them from getting sick and missing 3-5 days of school, but we don't feel that strongly about it because the illness is not that severe or threatening. 
2. Chronically ill children:  We feel much more strongly about children in the high-risk category. They are the most important ones to get this vaccine, and should have already. If your child is high risk and hasn't yet gotten the vaccine, please bring them in ASAP.
3. Children who have already been sick with H1N1 do not need the vaccine, provided you are pretty sure it was indeed H1N1. If uncertain, they should get the vaccine anyway. 
4. Children under 10 years who have already received one dose should get a 2nd dose (at least 3 weeks after the first) to be fully protected. It doesn't matter which version each dose is (injected or mist) - the two dose can be the same or different and in either order. 

For more information - follow these links:

• Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage: Why?

• The thing we fear is fear itself.