Here is the LATEST AAP bulletin (recieved just this morning) regarding the prioritization for the dwindling supply of the flu vaccine:
Prevention of Influenza in Children during Vaccine Shortage
Unprecedented demand has led to a shortage of inactivated influenza vaccine. Suggestions for prioritization of use of remaining supplies of influenza vaccine are listed below. Other means of prevention are anti-viral prophylaxis for children with high-risk medical conditions and infection control measures. The AAP will provide additional information as it becomes available.
INACTIVATED VACCINE PRIORITIES (in order)
#1 Children 6 mos. through 18 yrs. of age with high-risk medical conditions
- Chronic cardiac and pulmonary disorders, including asthma
- Chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes
- Chronic renal dysfunction
- Immunosuppression from any cause
- Children on long-term aspirin therapy
- Women who will be in 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season
#2 Medical staff who have patient contact
#3 Household contacts of individuals with immunosuppression
#4 Healthy children 6 months through 23 months; if supplies are limited give one dose
#5 Household members of children who are less than 2 years of age
LIVE ATTENUATED NASAL VACCINE (Flu-MistTM) may be given to healthy children over 5 years of age. Preliminary antibody data from the manufacturer suggest it may be more effective against the drifted H3N2 strain than the inactivated vaccine. (AAP Members can log into the Members Only Channel to access the FluMist Q&A.)
ANTI-VIRAL MEDICATION:
Anti-viral medication is an option for prophylaxis (or treatment) of children with high-risk conditions if vaccine is not available and influenza is present in the community. See page 385 (table 3.29) in the Red Book for a review of these antiviral drugs.
INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES:
- Hand hygiene: wash hands or use alcohol hand solutions after being in public or after contact with anyone with a cold or flu
- Cough etiquette: turn head and cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and promptly dispose of the used tissue; or cough into the inside of the elbow if a tissue is not available
- Don't expose young children or immunosuppressed children unnecessarily to large crowds when influenza is in your community
- Avoid close contact (holding, kissing) between infants and anyone who has a cold or flu
- Stay home from work or school if you have influenza (fever, muscle aches, cough)
- Do not share anything that goes into the mouth such as drinking cups and straws
- Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces (door knob, refrigerator handle, phone, water faucets) if someone in the house has a cold or flu
- Do not smoke around children
Note that women in the 2nd or 3rd trimester during flu season are in the highest priority.
That's because the risk of damage to the unborn child from the effects of influenza (high fever, which can cause brain damage, dehydration, risk of preterm labor) far outweigh the relatively minor risks of the vaccination.
I hope you get to feeling better real soon!
