Flu Arrives in Middle Tennessee

Just prior to Christmas 2010, the first cases of the current flu season were being seen. Most prevalent is Influenza B with smaller numbers of  Influenza A also being seen. Unlike the H1N1 epidemic of last fall, the number of patients is so far relatively low. It is expected that Influenza A will show up this winter as well and the appearance of B prior to A is somewhat unusal. Most patients are reporting typical symptoms: moderate to high fevers with cough and/or sore throat. While treatment with antivirals are possible for the flu, medication should be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms and typically shortens the course of illness by a few days.

Injectable Flu Vaccine Now Available

Not Just At Walmart!
We have received our first shipment of injectable flu vaccine for the 2010-11 flu season. While we don't anticipate any shortages this year, experience has taught us that the supply of the flu vaccine can be unpredictable. Like the Flumist, the injectable vaccine contains an H1N1 component so that only one type of flu vaccine is needed. You do need two doses of the vaccine if you are less than 9 years-old and have never received flu vaccine or less than 9 years-old and did not receive 2 doses of the H1N1 vaccine last year.

New School Year-New Flu Vaccine

Now that the H1N1 epidemic is officially over and school has started again it's time to start thinking about...wait for it...this year's flu vaccine! The good news is that H1N1 (swine flu) component has been added to this year's standard flu vaccine. This means you and your children will only need one vaccine this year. The CDC does recommend that if you are less than 9 years-old and only received a single dose of the H1N1 vaccine last year that you receive two doses this year. We have received our first shipment of Flumist, the nasal spray live vaccine. We will post here when we receive the injectable vaccine. Come in today for your Flumist!

H1N1 Injectable Vaccine for Infants Finally Arrives

Received a shipment of H1N1 vaccine suitable for infants older than 6 months today. At this time, we are able to provide both H1N1 vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine to any appropriate patient.

More Flu Vaccine Arrives

We just received additional injectable H1N1 vaccine which may be used for patients 3 years and older.  The Tennessee Department of Health has also informed practices that due to increasing supply, the H1N1 vaccine may be given to the general population and does not need to be limited to high risk groups. We still await the arrival of injectable H1N1 for those patients aged 6 months to 3 years.

Injectable H1N1 Vaccine Available

We have received a limited supply of injectable H1N1 vaccine. At this time we will restrict the vaccine to our patients who fall into the high risk categories (see below). This lot of vaccine may only be administered to children older than 4 years-old.

H1N1 Intranasal Vaccine Now Available!

We have received our allotment of the intranasal H1N1 vaccine. Please call today for an appointment for your child to receive this vaccine. Currently we are offering the vaccine to any patient who is eligible for intranasal vaccine administration. Before calling for an appointment please consider these criteria:

1. Child must be older than 2 years-old.
2. No history of asthma or wheezing or any condition which is associated with immunosuppression. They will be able to receive the injectable H1N1 vaccine when available.
   
3. Cannot have received other live virus vaccine in the last month (FluMist, MMR, or Varivax, the chicken pox vaccine)
4. No egg allergy

Children younger than 10 years will need two H1N1 vaccines one month apart.

We are also offering the vaccine to parents who:

1. less than 24 years-old (CDC defined high risk).
2. is a healthcare worker.
3. has a child in the household who is less than 6 months-old.
4. is a daycare worker who cares for children less than 6 months-old.
5. is not pregnant.
   
6. is not excluded due to #2-4 above.

1. Is you child less than 2 yrs.old? Must be older than 24 months.   2. Does your child have asthma, wheezing or other chronic illness? Can only get H1N1 shot ( When it comes available)   3. Did your child child receive the seasonal flu mist, MMR or ...more