We have received a Second shipment of H1N1 Vaccine from the Health Department of 100 doses, the first 30 that were posted have all been dispensed. We are going to give the vaccine on a first-come-first-serve basis and we regret that we are only going to provide it our Pregnant Patients Only at this time. We are told the small amount we received is just one of several shipments and we are going to have enough vaccines for our entire population over the next weeks and months. Please call and we can schedule a time for you to come and receive the shot if we have some in supply.
We will be having a H1N1 Shot Clinic on Sat Oct 31st from 9am - 12:00pm. Please call to schedule a time for this special day.
Thank you for you patience at this time. Please continue to look back at this blog for further updates.
The Staff at OBGYN North.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
News Flash: H1N1 Vaccine has Arrived but VERY LIMITED
We have received the first shipment of H1N1 Vaccine from the Health Department of ONLY 30 doses. We are going to give the vaccine on a first-come-first-serve basis and we regret that we are only going to provide it our Pregnant Patients Only at this time. We are told the small amount we received is just one of several shipments and we are going to have enough vaccines for our entire population over the next weeks and months. Please call and we can schedule a time for you to come and receive the shot if we have some in supply. Thank you for you patience at this time. Please continue to look back at this blog for further updates.
The Staff at OBGYN North.
The Staff at OBGYN North.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
H1N1 Update - 10/21
Fellow Patients of OBGYN North,
We just wanted to let you know that we still have not received the H1N1 vaccine as of today 10/21. We ordered it back on 10/9 and we are still awaiting shipment please continue to check back for updates.
When we do receive the vaccine you may call (512) 425-3825 and schedule a time to come in a get the vaccine. We are only providing the vaccine to our "PREGNANT PATIENTS" at that time. Thank you for your understanding.
The Staff at OBGYN North.
Update From the CDC -
Thank you for your work and your patience in the state-wide effort to mitigate the effect of H1N1 influenza in Texas. As you know, H1N1 vaccine supplies allocated to Texas in early October were less than anticipated. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is distributing vaccine according to the recommendations of theCDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), however there is insufficient supply at this time to vaccinate all members of the priority groups.
High Priorities:
Initial vaccine has been targeted to pregnant women, children 24-59 months, high-risk children 5-18 years old, and the health care workers who serve these populations. Small quantities of vaccine were also sent to local healthdepartments and DSHS Health Service Regions (HSRs) to serve as a safety-net. We expect allocations in the next few weeks to continue to be focused on healthcare workers, pediatric populations, and pregnant women as well as close contacts of children less than 6 years old.
We just wanted to let you know that we still have not received the H1N1 vaccine as of today 10/21. We ordered it back on 10/9 and we are still awaiting shipment please continue to check back for updates.
When we do receive the vaccine you may call (512) 425-3825 and schedule a time to come in a get the vaccine. We are only providing the vaccine to our "PREGNANT PATIENTS" at that time. Thank you for your understanding.
The Staff at OBGYN North.
Update From the CDC -
Thank you for your work and your patience in the state-wide effort to mitigate the effect of H1N1 influenza in Texas. As you know, H1N1 vaccine supplies allocated to Texas in early October were less than anticipated. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is distributing vaccine according to the recommendations of theCDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), however there is insufficient supply at this time to vaccinate all members of the priority groups.
High Priorities:
Initial vaccine has been targeted to pregnant women, children 24-59 months, high-risk children 5-18 years old, and the health care workers who serve these populations. Small quantities of vaccine were also sent to local healthdepartments and DSHS Health Service Regions (HSRs) to serve as a safety-net. We expect allocations in the next few weeks to continue to be focused on healthcare workers, pediatric populations, and pregnant women as well as close contacts of children less than 6 years old.
Monday, October 12, 2009
What Should Pregnant Women Know About 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?
These questions and answers have been updated to include new information on 2009 H1N1flu in pregnant women. Both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu viruses will circulate during the 2009-2010 flu season. A pregnant woman who thinks she has the flu should call her doctor right away to see if treatment with an antiviral medicine is needed. The medicine is most helpful if it is started soon after the pregnant woman becomes sick. The latest advice for getting seasonal and 2009 H1N1 vaccines during pregnancy is also included.
What if I am pregnant and I get 2009 H1N1?
Call your doctor right away if you have flu symptoms or if you have close contact with someone who has the flu. Pregnant women who get sick with 2009 H1N1 can have serious health problems. They can get sicker than other people who get 2009 H1N1 flu. Some pregnant women sick with 2009 H1N1 have had early labor and severe pneumonia. Some have died. If you are pregnant and have symptoms of the flu, take it very seriously. Call your doctor right away for advice.
What can I do to protect myself, my baby and my family?
Getting a flu shot is the single best way to protect against the flu. Talk with your doctor about getting a seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 flu shot. You will need both flu shots this year to be fully protected against flu. You should get both shots as soon as they are available to protect you and your baby. The seasonal flu shot has been shown to protect both the mother and her baby (up to 6 months old) from flu-like illness.
Talk with your doctor right away if you have close contact with someone who has 2009 H1N1 flu. You might need to take medicine to reduce your chances of getting the flu. Your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu® or Relenza® to help prevent 2009 H1N1 flu. To prevent flu, you would take a lower dose of the antiviral medicine for 10 days.
Is it safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot?
The seasonal flu shot has been given to millions of pregnant women over many years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is made in the same way and in the same places as the seasonal flu shot. It is very important for pregnant women to get both the seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 flu shot. Please see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/ to learn more.
Who else should get a flu shot?
Anybody who will be taking care of babies younger than 6 months of age should get a seasonal flu shot and a 2009 H1N1 flu shot to protect against the flu. This includes you and any family members or other people who will be caring for your baby for the first 6 months of his or her life. Please see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm to learn more.
What else can I do?
Take these everyday steps to help prevent the spread of germs and protect your health and the health of your family:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand rub can be used.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
o If there is 2009 H1N1 flu in your community, pay extra attention to your body and how you are feeling. If you think you have the flu, call your doctor or clinic right away.
o If you are pregnant and you live with or have close contact with someone who has 2009 H1N1 flu, talk with your doctor about medicines to prevent flu.
o Have a plan for someone else to take care of a sick family member.
• Stock up on household, health, and emergency supplies, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), water, and non-perishable foods.
What are the symptoms of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu?
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
• Fever*
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that some people with flu will not have a fever.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home, stay away from others, and call your doctor right away. If needed, he or she will prescribe an antiviral medicine that treats the flu. Have someone check in with you often if you are feeling ill. This is always a good idea.
How is 2009 H1N1 flu treated?
• 2009 H1N1 flu is treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) or Relenza® (zanamivir). Antiviral drugs are prescription pills, liquids or an inhaled powder that fight against the flu by keeping the germs from growing in your body. These medicines work best if they are taken as soon as you have symptoms of the flu. For that reason, it is important that you call your doctor as soon as you notice flu-like symptoms.
• If your doctor prescribes an antiviral to treat your flu, you will need to take it for 5 days. The medicine can make you get better faster and make your symptoms milder.
• At this time, there have been no reports to show harm to the pregnant woman or her unborn baby. Flu can cause serious illness and even death in pregnant women. Taking antiviral medicine can help prevent these severe outcomes.
• Antiviral medicines can be taken at any stage during pregnancy.
• Treat any fever right away. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is best for a pregnant woman to use to reduce a fever.
• Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lose when you are sick.
• If you have had close contact with someone who is sick with the flu, your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu® or Relenza® to help prevent 2009 H1N1 flu. To prevent flu, you would take a lower dose of the medicine for 10 days.
• Antiviral medicines can be taken at any stage during pregnancy.
When should I get emergency medical care?
If you have any of these signs, call 911 right away:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• A high fever that is not responding to Tylenol®
• Decreased or no movement of your baby
How should I feed my baby if I am sick?
If you can, breastfeed. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. There are many ways that breastfeeding and breast milk protect your baby’s health. Babies who are breastfed get sick from infections like the flu less often and less severely than babies who are not breastfed.
Flu can be very serious in young babies. You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you have the flu, but you have to be careful to protect your baby from getting sick. Please see
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/infantfeeding.htm to learn more about how to feed your baby if
you are sick.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/VIS/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
What if I am pregnant and I get 2009 H1N1?
Call your doctor right away if you have flu symptoms or if you have close contact with someone who has the flu. Pregnant women who get sick with 2009 H1N1 can have serious health problems. They can get sicker than other people who get 2009 H1N1 flu. Some pregnant women sick with 2009 H1N1 have had early labor and severe pneumonia. Some have died. If you are pregnant and have symptoms of the flu, take it very seriously. Call your doctor right away for advice.
What can I do to protect myself, my baby and my family?
Getting a flu shot is the single best way to protect against the flu. Talk with your doctor about getting a seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 flu shot. You will need both flu shots this year to be fully protected against flu. You should get both shots as soon as they are available to protect you and your baby. The seasonal flu shot has been shown to protect both the mother and her baby (up to 6 months old) from flu-like illness.
Talk with your doctor right away if you have close contact with someone who has 2009 H1N1 flu. You might need to take medicine to reduce your chances of getting the flu. Your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu® or Relenza® to help prevent 2009 H1N1 flu. To prevent flu, you would take a lower dose of the antiviral medicine for 10 days.
Is it safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot?
The seasonal flu shot has been given to millions of pregnant women over many years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is made in the same way and in the same places as the seasonal flu shot. It is very important for pregnant women to get both the seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 flu shot. Please see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/ to learn more.
Who else should get a flu shot?
Anybody who will be taking care of babies younger than 6 months of age should get a seasonal flu shot and a 2009 H1N1 flu shot to protect against the flu. This includes you and any family members or other people who will be caring for your baby for the first 6 months of his or her life. Please see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm to learn more.
What else can I do?
Take these everyday steps to help prevent the spread of germs and protect your health and the health of your family:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand rub can be used.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
o If there is 2009 H1N1 flu in your community, pay extra attention to your body and how you are feeling. If you think you have the flu, call your doctor or clinic right away.
o If you are pregnant and you live with or have close contact with someone who has 2009 H1N1 flu, talk with your doctor about medicines to prevent flu.
o Have a plan for someone else to take care of a sick family member.
• Stock up on household, health, and emergency supplies, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), water, and non-perishable foods.
What are the symptoms of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu?
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
• Fever*
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that some people with flu will not have a fever.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home, stay away from others, and call your doctor right away. If needed, he or she will prescribe an antiviral medicine that treats the flu. Have someone check in with you often if you are feeling ill. This is always a good idea.
How is 2009 H1N1 flu treated?
• 2009 H1N1 flu is treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) or Relenza® (zanamivir). Antiviral drugs are prescription pills, liquids or an inhaled powder that fight against the flu by keeping the germs from growing in your body. These medicines work best if they are taken as soon as you have symptoms of the flu. For that reason, it is important that you call your doctor as soon as you notice flu-like symptoms.
• If your doctor prescribes an antiviral to treat your flu, you will need to take it for 5 days. The medicine can make you get better faster and make your symptoms milder.
• At this time, there have been no reports to show harm to the pregnant woman or her unborn baby. Flu can cause serious illness and even death in pregnant women. Taking antiviral medicine can help prevent these severe outcomes.
• Antiviral medicines can be taken at any stage during pregnancy.
• Treat any fever right away. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is best for a pregnant woman to use to reduce a fever.
• Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lose when you are sick.
• If you have had close contact with someone who is sick with the flu, your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu® or Relenza® to help prevent 2009 H1N1 flu. To prevent flu, you would take a lower dose of the medicine for 10 days.
• Antiviral medicines can be taken at any stage during pregnancy.
When should I get emergency medical care?
If you have any of these signs, call 911 right away:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• A high fever that is not responding to Tylenol®
• Decreased or no movement of your baby
How should I feed my baby if I am sick?
If you can, breastfeed. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. There are many ways that breastfeeding and breast milk protect your baby’s health. Babies who are breastfed get sick from infections like the flu less often and less severely than babies who are not breastfed.
Flu can be very serious in young babies. You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you have the flu, but you have to be careful to protect your baby from getting sick. Please see
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/infantfeeding.htm to learn more about how to feed your baby if
you are sick.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/VIS/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
What is 2009 H1N1 influenza?
1. What is 2009 H1N1 influenza?
2009 H1N1 influenza (also called Swine Flu) is caused by a new strain of influenza virus. It has spread too many countries. Like other flu viruses, 2009 H1N1 spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and sometimes through touching objects contaminated with the virus. Signs of 2009 H1N1 can include: • Fatigue • Fever • Sore Throat • Muscle Aches • Chills • Coughing • Sneezing some people also have diarrhea and vomiting. Most people feel better within a week. But some people get pneumonia or other serious illnesses. Some people have to be hospitalized and some die.
2. How is 2009 H1N1 different from regular (seasonal) flu? Seasonal flu viruses change from year to year, but they are closely related to each other. People who have had flu infections in the past usually have some immunity to seasonal fl u viruses (their bodies have built up some ability to fight off the viruses). The 2009 H1N1 flu is a new fl u virus. It is very different from seasonal flu viruses. Most people have little or no immunity to 2009 H1N1 flu (their bodies are not prepared to fight off the virus).
3. 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine Vaccines are available to protect against 2009 H1N1 influenza. • These vaccines are made just like seasonal flu vaccines. • They are expected to be as safe and effective as seasonal flu vaccines. • They will not prevent “influenza-like” illnesses caused by other viruses. • They will not prevent seasonal flu. You should also get seasonal influenza vaccine, if you want to be protected against seasonal flu.
Inactivated vaccine (vaccine that has killed virus in it) is injected into the muscle, like the annual flu shot. This sheet describes the inactivated vaccine. A live, intranasal vaccine (the nasal spray vaccine) is also available. It is described in a separate sheet. Some inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine contains a preservative called thimerosal to keep it free from germs. Some people have suggested that thimerosal might be related to autism. In 2004 a group of experts at the Institute of Medicine reviewed many studies looking into this theory, and found no association between thimerosal and autism. Additional studies since then reached the same conclusion.
4. Who should get 2009 H1N1influenza vaccine and when?
WHO Groups recommended to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine first are: • Pregnant women • People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age • Health care and emergency medical personnel • Anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age • Anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system As more vaccine becomes available, these groups should also be vaccinated: • Healthy 25 through 64 year olds • Adults 65 years and older The Federal government is providing this vaccine for receipt on a voluntary basis. However, state law or employers may require vaccination for certain persons.
WHEN Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available. Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose.
5. Some people should not get the vaccine or should wait You should not get 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine if you have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine. Tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have any severe allergies. Also tell them if you have ever had: • a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of seasonal flu vaccine, • Guillain Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness also called GBS). These may not be reasons to avoid the vaccine, but the medical staff can help you decide. If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be advised to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no need to wait. Pregnant or breastfeeding women can get inactivated 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. Inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccine.
6. What are the risks from2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine? A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. But the risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. The virus in inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine has been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. The risks from inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine are similar to those from seasonal inactivated fl u vaccine:
Mild problems: • soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given • fainting (mainly adolescents) • headache, muscle aches • fever • nausea If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.
Severe problems: • Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. • In 1976, an earlier type of swine flu vaccine was associated with cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Since then, fl u vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS.
7. What if there is a severe reaction? What should I look for? Any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.
What should I do?
• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.
• Tell the doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given. • Ask your provider to report the reaction by fi ling a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form. Or you can fi le this report through the VAERS website at http://www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967. VAERS does not provide medical advice.
8. Vaccine injury compensation If you or your child has a reaction to the vaccine, your ability to sue is limited by law. However, a federal program has been created to help pay for the medical care and other specific expenses of certain persons who have a serious reaction to this vaccine. For more information about this program, call 1-888-275-4772 or visit the program’s website at: http://www.hrsa.gov/countermeasurescomp/default.htm.
9. How can I learn more?
• Ask your provider. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): -Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or -Visit CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or http://www.cdc.gov/flu • Visit the web at http://www.flu.gov/
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/VIS/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
2009 H1N1 influenza (also called Swine Flu) is caused by a new strain of influenza virus. It has spread too many countries. Like other flu viruses, 2009 H1N1 spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and sometimes through touching objects contaminated with the virus. Signs of 2009 H1N1 can include: • Fatigue • Fever • Sore Throat • Muscle Aches • Chills • Coughing • Sneezing some people also have diarrhea and vomiting. Most people feel better within a week. But some people get pneumonia or other serious illnesses. Some people have to be hospitalized and some die.
2. How is 2009 H1N1 different from regular (seasonal) flu? Seasonal flu viruses change from year to year, but they are closely related to each other. People who have had flu infections in the past usually have some immunity to seasonal fl u viruses (their bodies have built up some ability to fight off the viruses). The 2009 H1N1 flu is a new fl u virus. It is very different from seasonal flu viruses. Most people have little or no immunity to 2009 H1N1 flu (their bodies are not prepared to fight off the virus).
3. 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine Vaccines are available to protect against 2009 H1N1 influenza. • These vaccines are made just like seasonal flu vaccines. • They are expected to be as safe and effective as seasonal flu vaccines. • They will not prevent “influenza-like” illnesses caused by other viruses. • They will not prevent seasonal flu. You should also get seasonal influenza vaccine, if you want to be protected against seasonal flu.
Inactivated vaccine (vaccine that has killed virus in it) is injected into the muscle, like the annual flu shot. This sheet describes the inactivated vaccine. A live, intranasal vaccine (the nasal spray vaccine) is also available. It is described in a separate sheet. Some inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine contains a preservative called thimerosal to keep it free from germs. Some people have suggested that thimerosal might be related to autism. In 2004 a group of experts at the Institute of Medicine reviewed many studies looking into this theory, and found no association between thimerosal and autism. Additional studies since then reached the same conclusion.
4. Who should get 2009 H1N1influenza vaccine and when?
WHO Groups recommended to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine first are: • Pregnant women • People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age • Health care and emergency medical personnel • Anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age • Anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system As more vaccine becomes available, these groups should also be vaccinated: • Healthy 25 through 64 year olds • Adults 65 years and older The Federal government is providing this vaccine for receipt on a voluntary basis. However, state law or employers may require vaccination for certain persons.
WHEN Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available. Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose.
5. Some people should not get the vaccine or should wait You should not get 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine if you have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine. Tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have any severe allergies. Also tell them if you have ever had: • a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of seasonal flu vaccine, • Guillain Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness also called GBS). These may not be reasons to avoid the vaccine, but the medical staff can help you decide. If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be advised to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no need to wait. Pregnant or breastfeeding women can get inactivated 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. Inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccine.
6. What are the risks from2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine? A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. But the risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. The virus in inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine has been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. The risks from inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine are similar to those from seasonal inactivated fl u vaccine:
Mild problems: • soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given • fainting (mainly adolescents) • headache, muscle aches • fever • nausea If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.
Severe problems: • Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. • In 1976, an earlier type of swine flu vaccine was associated with cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Since then, fl u vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS.
7. What if there is a severe reaction? What should I look for? Any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.
What should I do?
• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.
• Tell the doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given. • Ask your provider to report the reaction by fi ling a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form. Or you can fi le this report through the VAERS website at http://www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967. VAERS does not provide medical advice.
8. Vaccine injury compensation If you or your child has a reaction to the vaccine, your ability to sue is limited by law. However, a federal program has been created to help pay for the medical care and other specific expenses of certain persons who have a serious reaction to this vaccine. For more information about this program, call 1-888-275-4772 or visit the program’s website at: http://www.hrsa.gov/countermeasurescomp/default.htm.
9. How can I learn more?
• Ask your provider. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): -Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or -Visit CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or http://www.cdc.gov/flu • Visit the web at http://www.flu.gov/
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/VIS/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
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