It's that time of year again, believe it or not. We will be starting our annual Flu Vaccine clinics around September 1st. This will be vaccine against "SEASONAL" influenza, meaning the standard influenza A and B subtypes that are expected this winter. Please contact our office for an appointment time for your kids to get their flu shots. The CDC recommends that all children 6 months of age and older get the flu shot.
As far as H1N1 "swine" flu shots, the CDC has announced that there will be a vaccine available later this Fall. The recommendations are for the following groups to receive H1N1 vaccine:
-- children 6 months of age up through adults 24 years of age,
-- household contacts of children less than 6 months of age during the flu season,
-- adults with chronic health conditions, and
--PREGNANT WOMEN; this is one of the highest risk groups for morbidity and mortality based on the recently completed H1N1 flu epidemic.
We still don't have information about who will be giving the H1N1 flu shot, whether it will be in doctor's offices, health departments, or even in schools. We will keep you posted as we learn more.
Dr. Lash