News and Events

Regional Pediatrics Upcoming News and Events

2006-2007 Influenza Vaccine Information

Regional Pediatric Associates encourages the vaccination of all children against influenza during flu season.  In the United States, on average more than 35,000 people die from the flu every winter and among those who are at highest risk for complications are children and those with chronic medical conditions.  Last winter we successfully immunized more than 2000 children against influenza.

This winter, we will again follow the Center for Disease Control recommendations regarding the influenza vaccine.

Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for:

1. Children 6-59 months old (a change from last winter, during which the age of recommended flu vaccine was 6-23 months old).
2. Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 59 months of age.
3. Children and adolescents with chronic health conditions such as
   • chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hemoglobinopathies, or immunodeficiency
   • long-term aspirin therapy
   • any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders)
   • Pregnant women

Even if your child does not fit the higher risk categories listed above, Regional Pediatric Associates still encourages all children get vaccinated for influenza - not only to prevent illness but also to reduce missed school days for children and missed work days for their parents.

There are two ways to get the influenza vaccine.  The first is the traditional shot - an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle.  The second is the intranasal influenza vaccine (containing live, weakened flu virus that does not cause the flu), Flumist.  This is a good alternative for people who want to avoid shots.  It is available for healthy, non-pregnant 5-49 year olds.

Other facts to remember regarding the influenza vaccines:

Children less than 9 years old getting the flu vaccine for the first time should get two doses (at least one month apart, whether flu shot or Flumist).  Some people should not be vaccinated or should wait before getting vaccinated.  They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age.
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever.  (These people can get vaccinated once their symptoms lessen.)

Please call to schedule your child's flu vaccine.  We are scheduling nurse visits for influenza vaccines.  The clinic dates for influenza vaccines will begin October 4, 2006.

When you call for your child's appointment, please tell us whether you are interested in the shot or nasal form of the flu vaccine.  The visit for flu vaccine is schedule for a nurse visit only - if you have other concerns about your child's health including illness, please schedule the appointment with a physician.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 919-477-2202 (North Durham Location) or 919-544-2049 (South Durham Location).

For more information about influenza, and influenza vaccine:  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa

For more information regarding Flumist:  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm