Is there a vaccine for 2009 H1N1?

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved vaccine to prevent against the 2009 H1N1 flu.

Visit the H1N1 Vaccine webpage for clinic information.

If my child received the flu mist for his first 2009 H1N1 dose and he is due for his second one, what do I do now that you’re out of FluMist? Updated 12/18

Children younger than 10 should receive a second dose of the vaccine a minimum of 28 days after the first. While it is preferable that he receive the same type of immunization, he can receive the injectable vaccine for a second dose even if the first was the inhaled vaccine.

There is plenty of injectable vaccine available at the Southern Nevada Health District and additional deliveries of the inhaled vaccine are expected. Both inhaled and injectable vaccine is available throughout the community and parents can check with their private providers as well as pharmacists.

When will you be receiving inhaled vaccine? Updated 12/18

The Southern Nevada Health District is expecting inhaled vaccine to be delivered next week, although we do not have a specific date. There is an ample supply of the injectable vaccine for upcoming clinics. Pharmacies and private providers also have both types of vaccine available.

Who should not be vaccinated for H1N1 or seasonal flu?

There are some people who should not get any flu vaccine without first consulting a physician.

These include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children younger than 6 months of age
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

What are the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination priority groups? Updated 12/18

The health district is vaccinating all Nevadans who want to receive it. For information hours and locations of upcoming clinics visit the H1N1 Vaccine Clinic webpage.

The CDC recommended 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine priority groups include the following.

• Pregnant women because there is a higher risk of complications and immunization can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated
  
  
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus
  
  
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel because infections among health care workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce health care system capacity
  
  
• People between the ages of six months and 24 years old because children from 6 months through 18 years of age are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and young adults 19 through 24 years of age because they often live, work, and study in close proximity
  
  
• People between the ages of 25 and 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

What health conditions are associated with higher risk of medical complications due to H1N1 infection?

The CDC recommends people with the following health conditions get the H1N1 vaccine due to increased risk of complications due to H1N1 infection:

• Asthma
• Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury
• Chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis
• Heart disease, such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease
• Blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease
• Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes mellitus
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Metabolic disorders, such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders
• Weakened immune system due to disease or medication, such as people with HIV or AIDS, cancer or those on chronic steroids
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

How much is the 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be supplied by the federal government. It will be available at no cost.

Seasonal flu shots are currently available at $30.

How many doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will I need? Updated 12/18

One dose of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is recommended for healthy adults and children over the age of 10.

Children younger than 10 will need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected. While preferable, it's not mandatory that the both doses be the same type of vaccine (e.g. inhaled FluMist or injectable vaccine).

What will be the recommended interval between the first and second dose for children 9 years of age and younger?

CDC recommends that the two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine be separated by 4 weeks. However, if the second dose is separated from the first dose by at least 28 days, the second dose can be considered valid.

Can I receive both flu shots at the same time?

You can receive the 2009 H1N1 injected vaccine at the same time as the seasonal flu injected vaccine.

However, if you receive the nasal spray of either vaccine, you should wait at least three weeks to get the other.

Can I get a 2009 H1N1 vaccine from my own doctor? Updated 12/18

As of December 16, 2009 more than 320,000 doses of vaccine have been delivered to private providers, including pharmacies, in Clark County by the Nevada State Health Division.

Who is eligible to receive the nasal spray vaccine?

The nasal spray vaccine (also called LAIV, FluMist or inhaled) is approved for healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant and do not have certain health conditions.

The nasal spray vaccine should not be given to:

• People younger than 2 years of age
• People 50 years of age and older
• People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza. These include people with:
  • chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease
  • medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure
  • illnesses that weaken the immune system, or people who take medications that can weaken the immune system
• Children younger than 5 years of age with a history of recurrent wheezing
• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy
• People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome that occurred after receiving flu vaccine
• Pregnant women
• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components

What are the side effects associated with the nasal spray?

The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. The nasal spray vaccine side effects may differ between children and adults.

In children:	In adults:
runny nose wheezing headache vomiting muscle aches fever	runny nose headache sore throat cough

Are there side effects from either the regular seasonal flu shot or the 2009 H1N1 flu shot?

Side effects for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will likely be similar to those of seasonal flu shots. Side effects for the seasonal flu shot are mild and mostly include soreness or redness at the injection site. Sometimes hoarseness, red eyes, or itchiness occur. Side effects will appear soon after the shot is given and last one or two days.

Severe allergic reactions are very rare, but if they occur it will be a few minutes to a few hours after the shot is administered.

The flu shot does not give you the flu.

A rare side effect is a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome. If you have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome previously, a flu shot is not recommended.

If you have an allergy to eggs, you should not receive a flu shot.

What should I do if I have side effects from either shot?

Severe allergic reactions are very rare, but if they occur it would be a few minutes to just a few hours after the shot was administered. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience shortness of breath, wheezing or hives.

Where can I get more information?

Visit the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine webpage or the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov.