Ask the Doctor: Swine flu vaccine

(WWLP) - Some parents are still concerned about having their children vaccinated for swine flu, although the CDC persists that the vaccine is safe. Pediatrician Dr. Michael Posner breaks down the facts, and the myths, of the newly-released H1N1 vaccine.

1.) We talked some about H1N1 flu in September, but now the plans and recommendations must be firming up.
Response: As the shipments of vaccine begin to arrive that is the case. So parents will soon be looking at real choices not only hypothetical ones. I know there is some anxiety about the “new” H1N1 vaccine, but it is not significantly different than seasonal flu vaccine either in its manufacturers or process of manufacture. Most children with ongoing medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, have been doing flu shots for years, but the recommendations for healthy children have clearly not been as well received. A number of surveys recently done have shown that on average a bit more than half the polled parents are planning to immunize their children. If they do, that will be the highest percentage to have ever done it.

2.) So which children most need the H1N1 flu shots?
Response: Only children older than 6 months can get flu shots. Because of this and the fact that pregnant women seem to have more complications with this strain of flu, pregnant women are strongly urged to get the flu shot. This will decrease the risk of their babies in the first 6 months. Any one likely to be in contact with young babies should also get the flu shots, which includes daycare workers, grandmothers, dads and the baby’s brothers or sisters. Children under 5 years are at high risk of hospitalization with influenza, with children under two even higher. Any one under 10 years of age will need two shots, roughly 4 weeks apart, to get full immunity.

3.) Why is it recommended that all children up to 18 be immunized?
Response: Once the higher risk groups have been covered and there is available vaccine, the older children and teens should be covered. All contagious disease spreads faster in crowded busy environments. Schools pack the most active people in our population into very full classrooms, hallways and lunchrooms, making schools a quick path for flu into families throughout the community. Immunizing these generally healthy individuals will protect them and the families they return to. Flu shots for school kids will not be mandatory, like other immunizations, but even having some percentage immune may still decrease the spread of flu into homes. Schools are preparing now to immunize as soon as vaccine is available and some have already sent home information and consent forms to be signed by parents.  The H1N1 flu shot is safe, does not contain live virus, and this year must be given in addition to the seasonal flu shot. Next year there is likely to be only one combined flu shot. I encourage all parents to take this opportunity to work with us to minimize the effect of the flu.

Click here for more information on the swine flu vaccine.