[loveajax]

So for the first time this year, dd got the flu vac. It was supposed to be a two part sniffer...she had the first and the docs ran out! Don't expect it in for a while...is this ok? In other words, she won't get sick because of this? And is she currently vac'ed for the flu?

Oh, I even wanted a h1n1 shot...the 60 minutes episode convinced me. They are out of that too. I am scared...we've had tons of outbreaks here.
And it's only october.

[binkybear]

We don't have the vaccine here yet ...for adults anyway. We've called our primary and family members primaries trying to get it, but according to our pediatrician (we just saw on Wed and who just got the vaccine in their office for kids) it's not going to matter much at this point.....our area is already seeing large
H1N1 clusters and the vaccine itself takes 3 weeks to be effective...we're behind the ball I guess. They're more concerned about the regular flu shots that they ran out of and that seems to be on the back burner regarding production.

I'm wondering (and maybe a doctor here can answer) ...knowing the demand and knowing that the kids will be needing 2 sepearate visits WHY wouldn't each office put aside a vaccine dose for each child who got the initial dose ?? Reserve what they gave out so that the second round can be had?? It's no surprise to anyone that there's a delay in shipping and that no one seems to know when they'll get their next shipment or even a first shipment at this point. Why would they set kids up for a problem in getting "fully" immunized? Doesn't seem to make sense.

I hope someone can answer your concern about the delay she'll see.

I gotta say this whole H1N1 thing has really made me aware of how ill prepared we are overall. There was tv footage of lines in MD, people waiting at midnight for clinics to open and then getting turned away when it ran out..... I mean can you imagine if God forbid there was ever an anthrax/bio attack that required us to rely on even and fast distribution of medication. scary.

[loveajax]

Binky, I agree...it's frightening! Of course, i keep seeing ads for drugs for "restless leg syndrome," and I want to scream to the pharma companies, "make some more flu vac!!"

[npmom]

We are in the same boat- round 1 of seasonal flu taken care of, ready for round 2. We plan to do H1N1 next, followed by round 2 of seasonal (told we could wait a bit for round 2 and the coverage from round 1 will last longer than the 1 month policy!) then round 2 of H1N1.

I posted yesterday regarding same thing- found out from our ped's office that we should wait 1 week between vaccinations- whereas before we were told 3 weeks.

Hope this makes sense- and helps!

Stay well everyone, stay well!

[aclee]

Friday we went to Matty's 6 month appointment and we were able to get the last two doses of the H1N1...she doesn't know if they are getting more. She said to still do the first dose because the information she has read says that even one dose is about 70% effective. They might have more, but they might not. Both boys got both flu shots on Friday...we are so lucky. I'm one of the only Mom's in my area who has been able to get both!

[loveajax]

Thanks, guys. Is the H1N1 a shot or sniffer (or is it a choice)? DD was traumatized by two shots at the same appointment a month ago (she tried to kick the ped in the face!!!).

Good job, Aclee! I am glad to know that at least it's "some" protection against the flu. I just saw that H1N1 was just declared a national emergency....great.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by loveajax

Thanks, guys. Is the H1N1 a shot or sniffer (or is it a choice)? DD was traumatized by two shots at the same appointment a month ago (she tried to kick the ped in the face!!!).

Good job, Aclee! I am glad to know that at least it's "some" protection against the flu. I just saw that H1N1 was just declared a national emergency....great.

There is both a shot and a nasal spray. My sons both had the nasal spray today and my daughter the shot because she has asthma. Not sure what other restrictions there are on who gets which. I was trying to keep the line moving and not ask questions.

edited to add: Here is a link from the CDC site that details who can and can't get the H1N1 nasal spray. It also does say that children who need two doses and only receive one dose may have little or no protection at least for H1N1. (Not sure how this compares with the regular seasonal flu shot.) We were told today that my younger two did need a second dose of the H1N1 in 28 days. Most oldest is old enough for just one at least. I just hope I can get a second dose when they are due for it! And don't come down with it before then! I am beginning to feel like by the time they get both doses and have some protection, the worst will be over. Maddening!

CDC H1N1 Flu |2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine: Q & A

[nurse_reedle]

Watch your daughter. Since your sons got the live vaccine, it sheds and could affect her before her vaccine takes effect.

[naca]

We are out of everything here. While we planned on only getting the seasonal Flu -our drs office ran out the day prior to our appts! ugh! All the county offices are completely out and don't expect to get more in AT ALL. Our schools were offering them free to all students (my oldest 3 were going to get theirs there) this Friday , however our county ran out and apparently didn't set any aside for the school systems? ugh!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by nurse_reedle

Watch your daughter. Since your sons got the live vaccine, it sheds and could affect her before her vaccine takes effect.

I realize that all of this discussion comes down to personal beliefs, but I do believe the CDC's statement that her being infected by someone who received the nasal spray vaccine to be highly unlikely. I will keep an eye on all of them as they have most likely already been exposed to the virus at school the way it is going around, so who knows if getting the vaccine was a moot point. For me, I felt it was the right thing to do.

Can people receiving the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV pass the vaccine viruses to others?
In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts occurred only rarely. The current estimated risk of getting infected with vaccine virus after close contact with a person vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is low (0.6%-2.4%). Because the viruses are weakened, infection is unlikely to result in influenza illness symptoms since the vaccine viruses have not been shown change into typical or naturally occurring influenza viruses.

[Whirled_Peas]

Originally Posted by loveajax

Is the H1N1 a shot or sniffer (or is it a choice)? DD was traumatized by two shots at the same appointment a month ago (she tried to kick the ped in the face!!!).

You can get a prescription for a topical anesthetic you put on an hour before the injection and there is no pain. Or, your pediatrician's office should have spray on cold which deadens the area.

Both my 1 year old and 3 year old recently had to have labs drawn. They held perfectly still because it did not hurt. I have had injections with emla (the anesthetic) and they did not hurt despite being painful shots. I think it's a shame that the medical world does not inform parents of this choice.