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H1N1 (Swine) and Seasonal Flu
Updates
 

Flu Updates from Dean 11/8/2009 Dean is currently following the state’s distribution plan for administering the H1N1 vaccine to our patients during a time of limited vaccine availability.   At Dean, it will be our goal to vaccinate the following high-risk groups as soon as more vaccine becomes available:   ·         Healthcare and emergency services personnel who have direct patient contact ·         Pregnant women (NOTE: Pregnant women must receive the injectable vaccine and cannot receive the Intranasal Mist vaccine.)  ·         Children ages 6 months to 4 years of age and adolescents aged 5-18 years with pre-existing health conditions ·         Parents or care providers of infants younger than 6 months of age including daycare providers   No public flu vaccine clinics are being held at this time. Doses of the H1N1 vaccine are trickling in at a rate much lower than is needed to meet demand.  In fact, during the next several weeks, initial supply may not be plentiful enough to cover patients other than those in the highest-risk categories. Therefore, it could be sometime before clinics take requests for general appointments for the H1N1 vaccine. Please check back with us on this website or by calling our flu information line, as we are waiting for additional vaccine to address the following target groups.   1.)     Persons 6 months to 24 years of age and persons aged 25-64 with pre-existing health conditions.  2.)     Once demand is met for all above targeted groups, vaccination will most likely be expanded to include the remainder of the population. Current studies show people over the age of 65 are at a very low risk for infection and vaccination may not be necessary.    Dean has a very limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine and this supply can change daily.  We are waiting for additional shipments to arrive. Please check back with us, as we will update this section as soon as more seasonal flu vaccine becomes available. Seasonal flu shot clinics are being put on temporary hold at this time.  Please speak with your patient care staff when you come in for your scheduled appointment. Patients who have scheduled appointments may receive the vaccine based on our supply at the time of visit.   Dean Health Plan members can still receive the seasonal flu shot from any area provider, pharmacy, community flu shot clinic or other vaccination location and receive up to $25.00 in reimbursement through their coverage. A reimbursement form is needed. Click here for more information and for a printable reimbursement form.

With the scope of the H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak spreading and changing so rapidly, Dean has put precautions in place at all of its medical locations, is following all Centers for Disease Control guidelines, and is closely monitoring the situation for the safety of its patients and staff. Here are key pieces of information on flu symptoms, how to keep healthy and what to do if you are sick.

H1N1 Intranasal Mist vs. Injectable Vaccine

The H1N1 Intranasal Mist is just as safe and effective as the injectable vaccine for the following groups of healthy individuals:

• Children 2-4 years of age
• People aged 4-49 who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age

The Intranasal Mist is NOT approved for:

• Pregnant women
• Infants younger than 2 or adults older than 50
• People or caregivers of people with a severely weakened immune systems
• People with long-term conditions such as asthma, heart, kidney, liver or lung disease, diabetes, anemia, or other blood disorders
• Children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment
• People with certain nerve or muscle disorders, such as cerebral palsy, who may have breathing or swallowing problems
  

Due to the H1N1 Intranasal Mist and the FluMist both being live virus vaccines there is a period of time in between vaccines. The table below represents the timeline information for receiving the vaccines. It also assumes adequate supply of both.

The information in our Intranasal Mist vs. Injectable Vaccine table represents the timeline information for receiving the vaccines.

Is the H1N1 Vaccine Safe?
The CDC expects the H1N1 influenza vaccine to be just as safe as the seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines.

Side effects from the H1N1 influenza vaccine would be rare and would be similar to those from the seasonal influenza vaccine. This includes soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fainting (mainly adolescents), headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea. For more information on the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, click here.

Can My Child Receive His/Her H1N1 Vaccine at School?
Dean encourages patients to protect themselves by receiving the H1N1 vaccination. Once the school districts have received their vaccine supply, they will begin vaccinating children in the schools.

If you have school age children, Dean recommends that you either vaccinate them through the school system or at your clinic once we have received the supply.

Should I Be Seen by a Provider or Not?
Many patients with flu-like symptoms do not need to come into the office to be seen. If you are experiencing the following:

• A fever between 100 and 101.5 degrees (for adults)
• A fever between 100 and 101.9 degrees (for children)
• In addition to the fever you have a sore throat, cough, or runny nose
• You do not have any other chronic health conditions
• Between the ages of 2 – 65

Recommendation: Isolate yourself from well persons and drink plenty of clear fluids. You may want to take acetaminophen to help lower the fever. Allow this to run its course over the next 2-4 days. If your fever spikes higher than 101.5 degrees (for adults) or 102 degrees (for children), please call your primary care provider to be assessed.

If you are experiencing a fever along with a sore throat, cough, or runny nose and you do have a chronic health condition, please call your primary care provider and speak with a member of our patient care team.

Symptoms of H1N1 Flu and Seasonal Flu
The symptoms for both types of flu are the same. A suspected case of H1N1 or seasonal flu is one where the person has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, and at least one of the following symptoms:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
  
• Body aches
• Chills
• Headache

Groups at High Risk for Complications from Seasonal Flu
The CDC recommends that high-risk groups, those who have contact with or care for people at high risk, and anyone who wants to reduce their risk of seasonal flu (including school-aged children) be vaccinated. The CDC includes the following in their list of high risk individuals:

• All children aged 6 months – 18 years
• Older adults >50 years
• Pregnant women or women who will be pregnant during the flu season
• Individuals with chronic disease such as diabetes or other conditions affecting the lungs, heart, blood, kidneys, liver or immune system

Groups at High Risk for Complications from H1N1 Flu
Unlike with seasonal flu, older individuals are not considered at high risk for H1N1 flu as they have some immunity. The individuals considered at high risk for complications from H1N1 flu are:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children less than 6 months
• Children aged 6 months- 24 years
• Health care workers

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• The primary way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Avoid close contact with other people with flu-like symptoms.
• Teach your children these basic safety guidelines.

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