Lawrenceville Office
3685 Lawrenceville Hwy
Suite 100
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
770-921-7386
Buford Office
2050 Buford Hwy
Suite 101
Buford, GA 30518
770-614-7366
Suwanee Office
1500 P'Tree Ind Blvd
Suite 250
Suwanee, GA 30024
770-406-2500
Influenza Vaccine Update
2009-2010 Season
This influenza season has been quite unusual due to the early onset of flu disease caused by the Novel H1N1 strain (swine flu). Children's Medicine follows the CDC guidelines in recommending influenza vaccinations to all patients over 6 months of age, except to children with severe egg allergies. However, this year there are two separate flu vaccines that are both recommended, seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine. There are two different types of each vaccine available. One is an injection (shot) and the other is an intranasal spray (mist). Children who have Asthma/RAD, have chronic illnesses including Diabetes or immune disorders, or who live with someone who is severely immunocompromised should not receive the nasal spray variety as it is a live attenuated (weakend but not killed) vaccine.. Children under 10 years of age will need two doses of H1N1 vaccine at least 21 days apart. Children under 9 years of age who have not had a flu vaccine in previous seasons will need two doses at least 21 days apart. Children may receive each shot on the same day, but cannot receive both types of flu mist at the same time.
Unfortunately, as many of our patients are aware, there have been considerable difficulties with the manufacturers supplying and distributing the vaccines. The manufacturers' goal has been to ship out the H1N1 vaccines out as soon as possible. Currently, this has resulted in temporary shortages of the seasonal vaccine. The H1N1 vaccines should be arriving soon, but we have very limited information about how much and when it should arrive. We will be following the CDC guidelines to prioritize high risk patients first for H1N1. We are expecting to have both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines available in our offices, but for now our supplies will be unpredictable. This is quite frustrating for all of us. We are trying to establish a recorded phone line to give daily supply updates, but until then, please call your primary office for vaccine availability. Thank you for your considerable patience during this chaotic time!