Swine Flu News

[luvwinnie]

Tragic story
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news8/stories/wfaa090928_mo_.1c6c1e885.html

 

[minniebeth]

Well, my worst mom fear has been realized, with my DD12 being tested postitive for Influenza A this morning. She is high risk, with a compromised immune system and asthma. Even just a few weeks ago, her oxygen levels were low with fall allergies, so I'm pretty nervous right now. She was given Tamiflu and prednisone. I hope she recovers quickly enough, she hasn't lifted her head off the pillow in two days...

Anyway, I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I'm a little bleary eyed right now, but it's one thing I forgot to ask the dr. When the H1N1 vaccines do become available and if they are available to us, should DD still receive the vaccine? Is there any info. out there that addresses that? Thanks so much to everyone for posting info. about it all on here, sometimes it's scary, but it's always good to be informed and a lot of the information has helped me know how to handle the situation that we are dealing with.
Thank you!

 

[sbell111]

Well, my worst mom fear has been realized, with my DD12 being tested postitive for Influenza A this morning. She is high risk, with a compromised immune system and asthma. Even just a few weeks ago, her oxygen levels were low with fall allergies, so I'm pretty nervous right now. She was given Tamiflu and prednisone. I hope she recovers quickly enough, she hasn't lifted her head off the pillow in two days...

Anyway, I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I'm a little bleary eyed right now, but it's one thing I forgot to ask the dr. When the H1N1 vaccines do become available and if they are available to us, should DD still receive the vaccine? Is there any info. out there that addresses that? Thanks so much to everyone for posting info. about it all on here, sometimes it's scary, but it's always good to be informed and a lot of the information has helped me know how to handle the situation that we are dealing with.
Thank you!

If she has been confirmed to have already had H1N1, she does not need the vaccine.

 

[murcor]

Well, my worst mom fear has been realized

 

[JessicaR]

Well, my worst mom fear has been realized, with my DD12 being tested postitive for Influenza A this morning. She is high risk, with a compromised immune system and asthma. Even just a few weeks ago, her oxygen levels were low with fall allergies, so I'm pretty nervous right now. She was given Tamiflu and prednisone. I hope she recovers quickly enough, she hasn't lifted her head off the pillow in two days...

Anyway, I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I'm a little bleary eyed right now, but it's one thing I forgot to ask the dr. When the H1N1 vaccines do become available and if they are available to us, should DD still receive the vaccine? Is there any info. out there that addresses that? Thanks so much to everyone for posting info. about it all on here, sometimes it's scary, but it's always good to be informed and a lot of the information has helped me know how to handle the situation that we are dealing with.
Thank you!

I'm sorry your daughter is sick. I hope her symptoms are mild and short lived. It is terrible when our kids are sick. Hope she feels better soon. I found this from Dr. Gupta.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is chief medical correspondent for the health and medical unit at CNN.

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/...the-h1n1-vaccine-if-i-think-i-already-had-it/

The bottom line is, unless you got a laboratory test confirming it, you cannot be sure that you actually got the H1N1 virus. There are several strains of influenza floating around out there this season, two of which are H1N1 and seasonal influenza. There are a handful of other strains you could have contracted.

The old adage, “Better to be safe than sorry,” may apply here. Unless you’re sure you had H1N1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get vaccinated. Even if you did, in theory, get H1N1 the CDC reports no evidence that subsequently getting the H1N1 vaccine would cause problems for you.

You can think about your vaccination like an insurance policy. If you did have H1N1 during your recent illness, then you’re protected. If you did not, you’re also protected.

 

[minniebeth]

Thank you for the encouragement and well wishes for DD...and for the information about the vaccine even though she is sick...it is good advice and will definately follow up with it. Thank you!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

well. I guess NY is the only state to make both flu shots mandatory for health care workers. They have until end of November to get them or be fired. They went to Albany yesterday to protest. A lawsuit is probably coming if nothing changes.

Nurses and other health care workers are saying that they do not want to be guinea pigs for the H1N1 and that this violates their 14th amendment rights. It is really something when you hear educated and informed health care workers stating they don't want to be guinea pigs for a vaccine!!!!

 

[JessicaR]

well. I guess NY is the only state to make both flu shots mandatory for health care workers. They have until end of November to get them or be fired. They went to Albany yesterday to protest. A lawsuit is probably coming if nothing changes.

Nurses and other health care workers are saying that they do not want to be guinea pigs for the H1N1 and that this violates their 14th amendment rights. It is really something when you hear educated and informed health care workers stating they don't want to be guinea pigs for a vaccine!!!!

This is a huge issue at the hospital my sister works at. So far NY is the only state to mandate this. I am very interested in the outcome.

 

[C.Ann]

well. I guess NY is the only state to make both flu shots mandatory for health care workers. They have until end of November to get them or be fired. They went to Albany yesterday to protest. A lawsuit is probably coming if nothing changes.

Nurses and other health care workers are saying that they do not want to be guinea pigs for the H1N1 and that this violates their 14th amendment rights. It is really something when you hear educated and informed health care workers stating they don't want to be guinea pigs for a vaccine!!!!

This is a huge issue at the hospital my sister works at. So far NY is the only state to mandate this. I am very interested in the outcome.

I live in NY and I can see where this could be a very difficult situation for all involved.. The employers; the employees; and the patients that could be unnecessarily exposed to the flu if healthcare workers aren't vaccinated.. Throw in the possibility of many healthcare workers becoming ill if they choose not to be vaccinated and we're faced with a critical shortage of staff for patients who are ill..

It's a no-win situation and I feel for everyone involved..

 

[LuvOrlando]

So aren't these 2 statements in conflict? Because of the CDC's position my hard to control DS11's Pediatrician flat out refused to ok a Pneumonia vaccine for my son and also Asthmatic DD10 3 weeks ago even though I begged him for it. Why? Because he said the risk of the vaccine greater than the potential benefit according to the CDC. Ummm, I tried to tell the Dr. the news was reporting secondary infections back then but he ignored me. You think anyone over at the CDC is going to get on this soon?

FROM REUTERS:
Many swine flu deaths linked with second infection
Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:32pm EDT

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Many people who have died of H1N1 swine flu in the United States have also had bacterial infections, health officials reported on Wednesday.

A study of 77 patients who died of the new pandemic H1N1 virus showed 29 percent of them had so called bacterial co-infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

About half of these had Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can be prevented with a vaccine, the CDC said. It said doctors may be missing these infections in people severely ill with flu.

The CDC has already reported that H1N1, declared a pandemic in June, has become more active as weather cools and schools reopened after summer breaks. Cases are reported in all 50 states and it is still circulating globally.

H1N1 is not any more deadly than seasonal influenza so far but it attacks a younger age group than seasonal flu does and because virtually the entire population lacks immunity, it can infect far more people at once than seasonal flu usually does.

"The findings in this report indicate that, as during previous influenza pandemics, bacterial pneumonia is contributing to deaths associated with pandemic H1N1," the team of experts at the CDC and state health departments reported.

"Our influenza season is off to a fast start and unfortunately there will be more cases of bacterial infections in people suffering from influenza," CDC epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Moore, who helped organize the study, added in a statement.

The report noted in previous pandemics -- in 1968, 1957 and 1918 -- many of the patients who died were also infected with S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and group A Streptococcus, which causes rheumatic fever and "strep throat".

The CDC team noted that at first it did not appear that people who were seriously ill with swine flu or who died of it had secondary infections but doctors may have missed them.

"Routine clinical tests used to identify bacterial infections among patients with pneumonia do not detect many of these infections," the CDC team reported.

Five of the patients who died, including a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old, had infections with the so-called superbug methicillin-resistant S. aureus or MRSA. None of the seven children who died had reported medical conditions that should put them at special risk of flu complications, although one was obese and one had Down syndrome.

The researchers cautioned that the patients whose cases were studied may not represent the nation as a whole. But like most of the victims of swine flu, they were young, with a median age of 31 and ranging from 2 months to 56 years.

Moore said people getting flu vaccinations should also ask about getting a pneumococcal vaccine.

Wyeth's Prevnar is part of the routine series of immunizations that children should get, and Merck and Co. makes a vaccine against so-called pneumococcal bacteria that is available for adults, mostly those over 65. Merck also makes an Hib vaccine, although there is no vaccine to prevent group A streptococcal infections or MRSA.

(Editing by Bill Trott)

FROM CDC:

Interim guidance for use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine during novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak

June 9, 2009 2:15 PM ET
Objective

To provide interim guidance on which groups should be vaccinated with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) to prevent pneumococcal infections during the outbreak of novel influenza A(H1N1).
Background

Influenza predisposes individuals to bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. During the 20th century influenza pandemics, secondary bacterial pneumonia was an important cause of illness and death and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) was reported as the most common etiology. Severe pneumococcal pneumonia associated with inter-pandemic influenza also has been reported, and S. pneumoniae remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States. The current novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak is evolving rapidly, and CDC continues to compile key information regarding risk of influenza, severity of illness and attack rate of secondary bacterial pneumonia among influenza patients. At this time, however, the role of pneumococcal infections among severe cases of novel influenza A (H1N1), such as those requiring hospitalization, is unclear.
Pneumococcal vaccines

During influenza outbreaks, pneumococcal vaccines may be useful in preventing secondary pneumococcal infections and reducing illness and death. Currently, two vaccines are available for prevention of pneumococcal disease, a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7).
Recommendation for use of PPSV23 during influenza A(H1N1) outbreak

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a single dose of PPSV23 for all people 65 years and older and for persons 2 to 64 years of age with certain high-risk conditions (Table). People in these groups are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease as well as serious complications from influenza. A single revaccination at least five years after initial vaccination is recommended for people 65 years and older who were first vaccinated before age 65 years as well as for people at highest risk, such as those who have no spleen, and those who have HIV infection, AIDS or malignancy.

All people who have existing indications for PPSV23 should continue to be vaccinated according to current ACIP recommendations during the outbreak of novel influenza A(H1N1). Emphasis should be placed on vaccinating people aged less than 65 years who have established high-risk conditions because PPSV23 coverage among this group is low and because people in this group appear to be overrepresented among severe cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection, based on currently available data. PPSV23 coverage estimates are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/pdf/NHIS89_07ppvvaxtrendtab.pdf Adobe PDF file

Use of PPSV23 among people without current indications for vaccination is not recommended at this time. This recommendation may be revised as the epidemiology and clinical presentation of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection as well as the frequency and severity of secondary pneumococcal infections are better understood.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines

PCV7 is recommended for all children aged less than 5 years; national coverage among 19-35 month olds with 3 or more PCV7 doses is currently > 90% (National Immunization Survey, July 2007-June 2008). PCV7 coverage estimates are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/stats-surv/nis/data/tables_0708.htm . While maintaining this high coverage is important, expanding the use of PCV7 to people aged ≥ 5 years is not indicated because circulation of the 7 serotypes included in the vaccine has declined substantially and disease caused by these serotypes is now uncommon.

For further information about recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccines, including contraindications, precautions and adverse effects please see the following:

* Recommended adult immunization schedule - United States, 2009 Adobe PDF file
* Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Vaccine information statement (VIS) Adobe PDF file
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of pneumococcal disease. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1997;46(RR-8):1-20. Adobe PDF file
* ACIP provisional recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccines. Adobe PDF file



Table. U.S. ACIP recommendations for use of pneumococcal polysaccacharide vaccine.




Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)

Universal vaccination


All adults 65 years of age and older






Medical Indications


Persons 2 through 64 years of age who have one or more of the following long-term health problems:




* chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies)
* chronic pulmonary disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema
* diabetes mellitus
* alcoholism
* chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis
* cerebrospinal fluid leaks
* functional or anatomic asplenia including sickle cell disease and splenectomy
* immunocompromising conditions including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant

Adults 19 through 64 years of age who:

* smoke cigarettes
* have asthma




****UPDATE**** I decided to send the Dr. a fax of both this new Reuters article and a request to re-consider in writing. I wonder what he will say? Both kids get their regular Flu Shots Friday just like every year but no news of the H1N1 yet... not a peep out of the State, City or the schools and tomorrow is October 1st. My confidence is waning...

 

[JessicaR]

Just posting an article dated from yesterday 09/30/09. More pneumonia info based on latest statistics.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33088461/ns/health-swine_flu/

Many swine flu deaths linked to pneumonia
Bacterial co-infections worsen the impact of the H1N1 virus, CDC warns

Of 77 people who died from complications of the H1N1 strain between May 1 and Aug. 20, 22, or nearly 30 percent, also had bacterial co-infections, including some caused by pneumococcus, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

Seven of the victims were children aged 15 and younger, the report showed.

CDC officials urged people at high risk for flu complications to check with doctors about getting a pneumonia vaccine in addition to the recommended seasonal and H1N1 flu shots.

All children under 5 should receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and people at high risk of pnemonia between the ages of 2 and 64 and those older than 65 should receive another pneumonia vaccine known as PPSV23, CDC officials said.

 

[luvwinnie]

LuvOrlando, why wouldn't he give them the pneumonia vaccine? My pulmonary dr. insisted on it for me.

 

[JessicaR]

So aren't these 2 statements in conflict? Because of the CDC's position my hard to control DS11's Pediatrician flat out refused to ok a Pneumonia vaccine for my son and also Asthmatic DD10 3 weeks ago even though I begged him for it. Why? Because he said the risk of the vaccine greater than the potential benefit according to the CDC. Ummm, I tried to tell the Dr. the news was reporting secondary infections back then but he ignored me. You think anyone over at the CDC is going to get on this soon?

FROM REUTERS:
Many swine flu deaths linked with second infection
Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:32pm EDT

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Many people who have died of H1N1 swine flu in the United States have also had bacterial infections, health officials reported on Wednesday.

A study of 77 patients who died of the new pandemic H1N1 virus showed 29 percent of them had so called bacterial co-infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

About half of these had Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can be prevented with a vaccine, the CDC said. It said doctors may be missing these infections in people severely ill with flu.

The CDC has already reported that H1N1, declared a pandemic in June, has become more active as weather cools and schools reopened after summer breaks. Cases are reported in all 50 states and it is still circulating globally.

H1N1 is not any more deadly than seasonal influenza so far but it attacks a younger age group than seasonal flu does and because virtually the entire population lacks immunity, it can infect far more people at once than seasonal flu usually does.

"The findings in this report indicate that, as during previous influenza pandemics, bacterial pneumonia is contributing to deaths associated with pandemic H1N1," the team of experts at the CDC and state health departments reported.

"Our influenza season is off to a fast start and unfortunately there will be more cases of bacterial infections in people suffering from influenza," CDC epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Moore, who helped organize the study, added in a statement.

The report noted in previous pandemics -- in 1968, 1957 and 1918 -- many of the patients who died were also infected with S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and group A Streptococcus, which causes rheumatic fever and "strep throat".

The CDC team noted that at first it did not appear that people who were seriously ill with swine flu or who died of it had secondary infections but doctors may have missed them.

"Routine clinical tests used to identify bacterial infections among patients with pneumonia do not detect many of these infections," the CDC team reported.

Five of the patients who died, including a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old, had infections with the so-called superbug methicillin-resistant S. aureus or MRSA. None of the seven children who died had reported medical conditions that should put them at special risk of flu complications, although one was obese and one had Down syndrome.

The researchers cautioned that the patients whose cases were studied may not represent the nation as a whole. But like most of the victims of swine flu, they were young, with a median age of 31 and ranging from 2 months to 56 years.

Moore said people getting flu vaccinations should also ask about getting a pneumococcal vaccine.

Wyeth's Prevnar is part of the routine series of immunizations that children should get, and Merck and Co. makes a vaccine against so-called pneumococcal bacteria that is available for adults, mostly those over 65. Merck also makes an Hib vaccine, although there is no vaccine to prevent group A streptococcal infections or MRSA.

(Editing by Bill Trott)

FROM CDC:

Interim guidance for use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine during novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak

June 9, 2009 2:15 PM ET
Objective

To provide interim guidance on which groups should be vaccinated with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) to prevent pneumococcal infections during the outbreak of novel influenza A(H1N1).
Background

Influenza predisposes individuals to bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. During the 20th century influenza pandemics, secondary bacterial pneumonia was an important cause of illness and death and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) was reported as the most common etiology. Severe pneumococcal pneumonia associated with inter-pandemic influenza also has been reported, and S. pneumoniae remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States. The current novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak is evolving rapidly, and CDC continues to compile key information regarding risk of influenza, severity of illness and attack rate of secondary bacterial pneumonia among influenza patients. At this time, however, the role of pneumococcal infections among severe cases of novel influenza A (H1N1), such as those requiring hospitalization, is unclear.
Pneumococcal vaccines

During influenza outbreaks, pneumococcal vaccines may be useful in preventing secondary pneumococcal infections and reducing illness and death. Currently, two vaccines are available for prevention of pneumococcal disease, a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7).
Recommendation for use of PPSV23 during influenza A(H1N1) outbreak

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a single dose of PPSV23 for all people 65 years and older and for persons 2 to 64 years of age with certain high-risk conditions (Table). People in these groups are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease as well as serious complications from influenza. A single revaccination at least five years after initial vaccination is recommended for people 65 years and older who were first vaccinated before age 65 years as well as for people at highest risk, such as those who have no spleen, and those who have HIV infection, AIDS or malignancy.

All people who have existing indications for PPSV23 should continue to be vaccinated according to current ACIP recommendations during the outbreak of novel influenza A(H1N1). Emphasis should be placed on vaccinating people aged less than 65 years who have established high-risk conditions because PPSV23 coverage among this group is low and because people in this group appear to be overrepresented among severe cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection, based on currently available data. PPSV23 coverage estimates are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/pdf/NHIS89_07ppvvaxtrendtab.pdf Adobe PDF file

Use of PPSV23 among people without current indications for vaccination is not recommended at this time. This recommendation may be revised as the epidemiology and clinical presentation of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection as well as the frequency and severity of secondary pneumococcal infections are better understood.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines

PCV7 is recommended for all children aged less than 5 years; national coverage among 19-35 month olds with 3 or more PCV7 doses is currently > 90% (National Immunization Survey, July 2007-June 2008). PCV7 coverage estimates are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/stats-surv/nis/data/tables_0708.htm . While maintaining this high coverage is important, expanding the use of PCV7 to people aged ≥ 5 years is not indicated because circulation of the 7 serotypes included in the vaccine has declined substantially and disease caused by these serotypes is now uncommon.

For further information about recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccines, including contraindications, precautions and adverse effects please see the following:

* Recommended adult immunization schedule - United States, 2009 Adobe PDF file
* Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Vaccine information statement (VIS) Adobe PDF file
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of pneumococcal disease. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1997;46(RR-8):1-20. Adobe PDF file
* ACIP provisional recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccines. Adobe PDF file



Table. U.S. ACIP recommendations for use of pneumococcal polysaccacharide vaccine.




Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)

Universal vaccination


All adults 65 years of age and older






Medical Indications


Persons 2 through 64 years of age who have one or more of the following long-term health problems:




* chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies)
* chronic pulmonary disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema
* diabetes mellitus
* alcoholism
* chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis
* cerebrospinal fluid leaks
* functional or anatomic asplenia including sickle cell disease and splenectomy
* immunocompromising conditions including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant

Adults 19 through 64 years of age who:

* smoke cigarettes
* have asthma




****UPDATE**** I decided to send the Dr. a fax of both this new Reuters article and a request to re-consider in writing. I wonder what he will say? Both kids get their regular Flu Shots Friday just like every year but no news of the H1N1 yet... not a peep out of the State, City or the schools and tomorrow is October 1st. My confidence is waning...

Did you mean to type that your Pediatrician is hard to control? Could you explain?

If you find yourself in conflict with this doctors practices and beliefs could you seek out another Pediatrician? I had to do this many years ago because we were never on the same page. I am blessed to have the pediatrician we have now. When I found myself having questions that were never satisfied and questioning his treatment choices more than a few times I knew it was time to research another doctor.

I hope he replies to your fax and you get the answers you need.

 

[jrmasm]

****UPDATE**** I decided to send the Dr. a fax of both this new Reuters article and a request to re-consider in writing. I wonder what he will say? Both kids get their regular Flu Shots Friday just like every year but no news of the H1N1 yet... not a peep out of the State, City or the schools and tomorrow is October 1st. My confidence is waning...

PRESS RELEASE:
September 30, 2009


DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DETAILS PANDEMIC H1N1 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLAN FOR PA





HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today discussed the state’s distribution plans for the new pandemic H1N1 vaccine.

Pennsylvania is placing its first vaccine order today. Due to the limited nature of the initial vaccine supplies, the doses will be highly focused in their distribution and use. More than 70 percent of all illness from the pandemic H1N1 flu virus is occurring in Pennsylvania’s children and young adults aged five to 24 years.

Pennsylvania’s Acting Physician General Dr. Stephen Ostroff and Health Deputy Secretary Michael Huff conducted a webinar to provide updates of the statewide vaccination program, which is driven by three primary considerations: the supply and type of available vaccine, federal recommendations for the top five priority groups, and disease surveillance to control the disease and reduce the risk of complications.

This vaccine effort is intended to vaccinate as many Pennsylvanians in the targeted groups as possible in the coming months and includes an Internet-based, pre-registration system for private providers, schools and others that want to administer the new H1N1 vaccine in their facility, and public mass vaccination clinics that will be held later this fall as more vaccine becomes available.

The federal government recently approved four vaccines for the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The first available vaccine doses will only include live attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV, also known by the brand name FluMist.

This intra-nasal vaccine is recommended primarily for healthy persons between the ages of 2-49 years. It is not indicated for some people who are in the top vaccine priority groups – pregnant women, children under two years of age, persons with certain underlying health conditions, and healthcare workers who deal with severely immune-suppressed persons.

Additional doses and types of vaccine are expected to be made available by the federal government in the coming weeks and approximately 2.5 million doses are expected in Pennsylvania by the end of October. The department will work with registered providers to assure vaccine reaches individuals in the prioritized groups.

The department will target the initial doses of LAIV primarily to healthy school children between the ages of 5-9 years with a smaller proportion of the available supply being used for college students in settings where disease outbreaks have occurred and are ongoing. Efforts will be made to distribute vaccine to the three areas of the state that are experiencing the highest numbers of cases: namely the southeast, southwest and north central districts.

The department anticipates pandemic H1N1 flu activity in the coming weeks to increase in younger populations in schools and institutions of higher education. The department believes it is very important to begin vaccination for children under 10 years of age, as early as possible, because they will require two separate doses of pandemic influenza H1N1 vaccine.

Eventually, anyone who wants the vaccine will be able to get it after the needs of those in the high-risk/priority groups have been met.

Today’s webinar and pandemic H1N1 influenza information is available at www.H1N1inPA.com. Information is also available at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

 

[findmewdw]

Well, my worst mom fear has been realized, with my DD12 being tested postitive for Influenza A this morning. She is high risk, with a compromised immune system and asthma. Even just a few weeks ago, her oxygen levels were low with fall allergies, so I'm pretty nervous right now. She was given Tamiflu and prednisone. I hope she recovers quickly enough, she hasn't lifted her head off the pillow in two days...

Anyway, I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I'm a little bleary eyed right now, but it's one thing I forgot to ask the dr. When the H1N1 vaccines do become available and if they are available to us, should DD still receive the vaccine? Is there any info. out there that addresses that? Thanks so much to everyone for posting info. about it all on here, sometimes it's scary, but it's always good to be informed and a lot of the information has helped me know how to handle the situation that we are dealing with.
Thank you!

My DD14 was diagnosed with it too and I completely understand your anxiety. My daughter's dr is not recommending the H1N1 vaccine at this time. She does want her to get the regular flu vaccine however. I hope your daughter gets well soon.

 

[LuvOrlando]

So the Dr did call this morning. I wish I was a Virologist and knew how valid what he is saying really is so I'm posting it here in case anyone knows more than I. According to him the 2 main Pneumonia vaccines I am talking about are still not appropriate for my kids because the criteria on the CDC's website has not been modified to include even severe Asthmatics in my children's age group (10 & 11). But more to the point, he told me the Prevnar vaccine both of my kids did get years ago would be more than enough to cover them against any Pneumonia they are likely to come across. So what does everyone think? Do you believe he's right and all our kids who have had Prevnar are already protected against Pneumonia as a secondary infection? I don't know whether I should find another Dr and keep fighting for the vaccine or let it go...

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

LuvsOrlando I asked my Ped. if the kids should get a pneumonia vaccine due to H1N1. He told me the kids received the pneumoococcal vaccine and that covers them. He also advised they get the H1N1 vaccine when its available- his concern with the swine flu is is unpedicatable severity. My kids are having their usual Fall sickness now too. Allergies lead to coughs, with my 2 youngest getting croupy. I started the 4 yo on the nebulizer last night.

 

[luvwinnie]

So the Dr did call this morning. I wish I was a Virologist and knew how valid what he is saying really is so I'm posting it here in case anyone knows more than I. According to him the 2 main Pneumonia vaccines I am talking about are still not appropriate for my kids because the criteria on the CDC's website has not been modified to include even severe Asthmatics in my children's age group (10 & 11). But more to the point, he told me the Prevnar vaccine both of my kids did get years ago would be more than enough to cover them against any Pneumonia they are likely to come across. So what does everyone think? Do you believe he's right and all our kids who have had Prevnar are already protected against Pneumonia as a secondary infection? I don't know whether I should find another Dr and keep fighting for the vaccine or let it go...

From what I'm reading. Prevnar and pneumovax prevent the same types of pneumonia so your dr. is right.

 

[LuvOrlando]

This is such an enormous relief. But why on earth didn't the Dr just tell me that the first time I asked about the Pneumonia vaccine??? Also, why isn't this out there in the article's we're all reading? I'm not really expecting an answer to the idiocy of it, I'm sort of just wondering out loud.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

From what I'm reading. Prevnar and pneumovax prevent the same types of pneumonia so your dr. is right.

I do think they prevent the same types, but I think that one prevents 7 strains and the other 23 strains. Prevnar, which is the shot children get, is for seven strains, and the pneumococcal vaccine that is typically for seniors and at-risk individuals is for 23 strains. There are over 80 strains, so neither prevents all types, just the more common ones.