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| An important Flu Vaccine Message to all our patients: |
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Almost half of the nation's flu vaccine will not be delivered this year. Chiron, a major manufacturer of flu vaccine in England, will not be distributing any influenza vaccine this flu season. Chiron was to make 46-48 million doses vaccine for the United States. We have been notified that Springfield Family Medicine's flu vaccine order placed in late Spring 2004 will not be delivered.
Because of this unexpected flu vaccine shortage, Springfield Family Medicine is relying on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for guidance about who should get vaccinated this season.
Who should be vaccinated?
The existing flu vaccine supplies should be given to protect people who are at greatest risk from serious complications from influenza disease.
Everyone in this group should seek vaccination:
People 65 years of age and older
Children ages 6 months to 23 months
Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease and asthma
Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia), or weakened immune systems, including persons with HIV/AIDS
Children and teenagers, 6 months to 18 years of age, who take aspirin daily
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
Household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months (Children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated.)
Healthcare workers who provide direct, hands-on care to patients
Who should go without vaccination?
Healthy people 2 to 64 years of age are asked to not get vaccinated this year at all or to wait to get their vaccine after persons in priority groups in their area have had a chance to be vaccinated, so that available vaccine can go to protect those at greater risk for flu complications.
What about the nasal vaccine, FluMist ® ?
FluMist ®, the nasal-spray flu vaccine, is an option for healthy individuals, ages 5 to 49 years of age, who are in contact with infants under 6 months of age or who are healthcare workers who provide direct patient care. FluMist ® is not recommended for healthcare workers taking care of severely immunocompromised people when they are in a protective environment and cannot be given to pregnant women. If you are a candidate and interested in a prescription, please schedule an office visit. Be advised that FluMist is more expensive, may not be covered by insurance, remains in limited supply, and if you find a pharmacy to fill your Rx, a nurse visit will be needed to administer the product.
What else can you do to prevent the spread of flu?
There are certain good health habits that can help prevent the spread of flu.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from other to protect them from getting sick too.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze – and dispose of the tissue afterward.
If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
Wash your hands after you cough or sneeze – with soap and warm water, or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
If you get the flu, stay home from work or school. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
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