Kids need one dose of H1N1

This really annoys me. A study just came down last week saying kids definitely need two doses of the vaccine. So which is it? I don't think anyone wants to give their child an immunization he/she doesn't need-especially a controversial one like the swine flu vaccine. Here's the new contradicting story!

FROM NBC: A new study on the h1n1 vaccine suggests children may only need one dose instead of the recommended two. But experts say -- don't cancel that second appointment for your kids just yet. The research from Australia finds a single 15-microgram dose of the h1n1 vaccine gives strong protection to more than 92-percent of children between the ages of 6-months and 9-years old. Current U.S. recommendations call for two doses for kids 10 and younger. And the dosage given to kids under age 3 in this study was 15-micrograms. That's double the 7.5-microgram dosage licensed for children in that age group in this country. Experts say it's much too soon to change guidelines based on this one study.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Preservative Free H1N1 Vaccine

There are a lot of pregnant women with concerns about the H1N1 vaccine. Here is one of the emails I got this week.

Hi, I am 9 months pregnant and live in Peoria... did we get any doses of the H1N1 vacine without the thimerosal?

The CDC says only 12 percent of the H1N1 injectable vaccines are preservative free. However, it doesn't sound like any of the vaccines obtained by Peoria County are preservative free. I haven't gotten a clear cut answer on this, but most of the time I have been told the injectable vaccine DOES contain thimerasol (mercury.) (at least in Peoria County)

The nasal mist vaccine does not contain thimerasol. It carries a live, attenuated virus. Pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems cannot take the live virus. What a nightmare for a lot of pregnant women. Many would like to avoid injecting themselves with a known neurotoxin like mercury while they are pregnant. I am not saying the small amount of mercury in the vaccine will hurt the fetus, but I can understand why pregnant women would want to avoid it. Many pregnant women won't even take Tylenol.

The Peoria City/County Health Department says they are giving out 1,000 doses of the vaccine at each clinic this week. So if you want to get the shot before they run out, get to the clinics early. However, you don't have to be at one of the first clinics of the week. They won't be running out before Friday. Also, the health department is supposed to get another 5,000 doses at some point.

If you want your child to get a mercury-free dead virus, you are out of luck. Most kids, unless their immune systems are compromised, will be getting the live nasal vaccine. "Mom or Dad don't feel comfortable with that" will not be accepted as a reason to give your child a shot instead. The nurses are asking a series of questions. Your answers will determine which vaccine you get. You do not get to choose.

The PCHD says some doctor's office will be getting the vaccine for their patients. However, there is no list available to the public.

It sounds like we will see a lot more people getting seriously ill from the swine flu at the same time more concerns are raised about the vaccine. Did anyone get the vaccine today?

Oh and it looks like we aren't the only ones having trouble getting a preservative free swine flu vaccine. Here is an article out of Atlanta.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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H1N1 Questions answered

I am getting a lot of H1N1 questions right now. Here is the latest. I thought these were some good ones to get answered. I am not sure if every doctor would answer them the same, but this response is from an OSF doctor who is answering a lot of questions on the topic.

Hello there, as a concerned mother of four, will your child still need the H1N1 vaccine if they come down with it this season? Also, will there be a need to vaccine the children next year or will H1N1 become less of a threat as the years go on like the 1976 episode?

"We would still recommend vaccinating people with H1N1 unless they have had testing confirmed H1N1 (which we are only testing inpatients at the present time)"

"Next year the H1N1 likely will be incorporated into the seasonal flu vaccine."

Brian S Curtis, MD
Medical Director, Adult Hospitalist Service
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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