2011 - 2012 FLU SEASON
Posted on: 08/01/2011
In preparation for the 2011 influenza season, PHCA would like to remind you of a few key facts about the influenza vaccine.
We look forward to adequate supplies this year, and are happy to report that the the 2011-2012 influenza vaccine will again contain the H1N1 strain.
This year, the CDC and the AAP recommend that all children ages 6 months to 19 years receive an influenza vaccine. All children 6 months through 8 years of age are recommended to receive 2 doses of 2011-12 flu vaccine, a minimum of 28 days apart.
Children at higher risk for complications from influenza infection are considered to have priority for influenza vaccination. These children include:
1. all children ages 6 months to 5 years, and
2. children aged 6 months and older with chronic health problems, including:
- asthma or other problems of the lungs;
- immune suppression;
- chronic kidney disease;
- heart disease;
- HIV/AIDS
- diabetes;
- sickle cell anemia; or
- long-term aspirin therapy;
- any condition that can reduce lung function (cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders).
The 2011-2012 influenza vaccine will be available in three forms:
1. Live, attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine (a nasal spray called "FluMist")
2. Inactivated influenza vaccine (the traditional injected flu shot)
3. Preservative-free inactivated influenza vaccine (the thimerosal-free injection)
Thimerosal has never been linked to any neurodevelopmental disorder. However, many parents have concerns regarding its use. The preservative-free influenza vaccine is therefore available for our patients ages 6 months to 35 months of age. Older patients desiring preservative-free vaccine may safely use FluMist, provided they do not meet the criteria listed below.
The following individuals should not receive FluMist:
- are under 2 years or age or are over 49 years of age
- have a history of allergic reaction to chicken eggs, egg products, MSG, arginine, Gentamycin, or gelatin
- have a history of allergic reaction to any other vaccine (shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face & lips, tongue or other parts of the body, skin rash, itching or hives)
- regularly use aspirin or aspirin containing products
- have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, seizure disorder, cerebral palsy or nerve disorders
- have known or suspected immune deficiency disease
- have a history of asthma or reactive airway disease or have had one or more wheezing episodes in the last year
- have a history of medical conditions including but not limited to: heart or lung disease, metabolic disease (including diabetes), kidney dysfunction, hemoglobinopathy such as sickle cell disease
- are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant
- will be in contact with severely immunocompromised individuals within three weeks of receiving this vaccine
- have or have had within the past three days illness with fever OR a respiratory illness
- have received any antiviral therapy within the past 48 hours (and you should not use another antiviral agent for the next 2 weeks)
- have received MMR, Varivax, or any other nasal flu vaccine within the past four weeks
The following individuals should not receive any influenza vaccine:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination
- People who developed Guillian-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine
- Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
- People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)
For more information regarding the 2011-2012 flu vaccine, please visit the CDC website at:
For more information regarding children and the flu vaccine, please visit the CDC website at:
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