2010-2011 Flu season information
Along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Forest View Pediatrics recommends that all children older than 6 months receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.
The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect again 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus).
How many doses does my child need?
- If your child is older than 9, they only need one dose.
- If your child is younger than 9 and it's their first year getting the vaccine, they will need two doses separated by at least one month.
- If your child is younger than 9 they will need one or two doses depending on their flu vaccine history. Please see the chart below.
| Your child needs one dose if: |
Your child needs two doses if: |
- They received at least one dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine AND
- They received at least one dose of seasonal vaccine prior to the 2009-2010 flu season OR two doses of seasonal flu vaccine last flu season.
|
They don't fit the criteria to the left. |
Influenza vaccine supply and scheduling information
We currently have a good supply of FluMist and expect to have an ample supply of both FluMist and injectable flu vaccine this season.
Please continue to check this website for updates on flu vaccine scheduling. We will continue to offer as many vaccine clinics as supply allows. Public health departments or sites such as Walgreens are also acceptable options for obtaining flu vaccines.
Flu appointments are made with a nurse only. Your child will not be seeing a provider on the day of their flu shot. If you have concerns that you would like to discuss, please call the office and schedule a time when you can see your physician and get the flu vaccine.
Pending supply issues - For children who have physical exams scheduled, they may receive the influenza vaccine then. If one of your children has a physical scheduled and you wish to bring siblings along to receive their flu vaccines as well, please call our office prior to the appointment to make these arrangements.
Types of seasonal flu vaccine available
FluMist®
FluMist is a live vaccine. It is a nose spray and can be given to children older than 2. It cannot be given to children with a history of asthma or wheezing. It should provide protection for 14 months.
Flu shot
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that can be given to children older than 6 months. It should provide protection for 12 months.
Can family members of a pregnant woman receive the nasal spray vaccine?
Yes, as long as they are at least 2 years old and have no chronic medical conditions. Pregnant women and nursing moms should NOT receive the live nasal spray influenza vaccine.
Spacing between vaccines
- If your child needs two doses of the flu vaccine, the two doses should be separated by at least four weeks.
- If your child has received a live vaccine (ie. MMR, Varivax or Rotateq) recently, there needs to be at least 28 days between when they got the live vaccine and when they receive the Intranasal Seasonal vaccine.
- If your child has received an inactivated vaccine recently (ie. Tdap, Menactra, HPV, Hep A, Hep B, IPV, Prevnar, DTaP, Hib), there is no minimum interval between that vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine.
Influenza resources
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