Tylenol Recall Update
September 29, 2009 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
Recently Tylenol announced recall of a small number of lots that were manufactured last year. There is no new safety concern regarding Tylenol products and we recommend continuing to use as directed. To see which lots were recalled click here,
Flu shots have arrived!
September 12, 2009 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
Beginning this week we now have influenza vaccines available for our patients. This includes vaccine those on commercial insurance, Oregon Health Plan, and uninsured. We have doses of injectable and nasal vaccine. Saturday influenza clinics begin this month. Just come to our clinic between 9 am and 12 noon. No appointment necessary. If your child already has an appointment coming up in the next 4-6 weeks we will be happy to get vaccine done at that time. Influenza vaccines are recommended for all of our patients over 6 months old. Supply is expected to be adequate. We increased our order this year substantially to prepare for coming flu season.
The vaccine currently available is the usual seasonal vaccine that includes protection against three strains of influenza. This does NOT include H1N1 2009 strain.
H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine is anticipated to be available in November. It will be available in injectable and nasal forms. The manufacturing process is identical to current seasonal influenza vaccine. It is not an “experimental” vaccine. It is recommended for children over 6 months old and will be most important for children under age 5 and those with chronic health conditions that put them at higher risk for complications from influenza. Dosing and schedule has not been finalized but will likely closely mirror current seasonal influenza vaccine schedule.
For latest information on influenza vaccine visit CDC Influenza Information Center
CDC Videos
Influenza Vaccine Update
September 2, 2009 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
We have been getting a lot of questions lately regarding influenza vaccine recommendations and availability. We have started to receive injectable and nasal vaccine for the seasonal influenza. This covers three strains of influenza. Our initial shipments come directly from the manufacturer and are for patients on commercial insurances. For patients on the Oregon Health Plan (medicaid) and uninsured the vaccines are purchased by the state and distributed to medical offices to administer. We anticipate this to arrive in the next several weeks. We will continue to dedicate Saturday mornings from 0900--1200 for influenza and other vaccines needed. Also if your child has an upcoming appointment in next 1--2 months we will be happy to take care of any vaccines at that visit.
Influenza vaccine is recommended for all children 6M and older. They are most important for kids under age 2, those around children too young to be immunized and children with medical conditions putting them at increased risk for complications from influenza (like asthma).
New this year is an additional shot for H1N1 2009 pandemic influenza that emerged last spring. The severity and spread of disease is not known at this time. Anticipation is that it will be the most common strain circulating since the strain has not been in the community in previous years and was seen to be the dominant strain in southern hemisphere (their winter) in recent months. The technology in manufacturing the vaccine is the SAME as regular influenza vaccine. It is NOT a new vaccine. What is new is the strain isolated to make the vaccine, but the process and ingredients used are the same as prior influenza vaccines. If the H1N1 strain had emerged earlier in the year it would have likely been incorporated into the regular seasonal vaccine (and may very well be what we see in winter 2010--2011). We do not yet know if children will need one or two doses to get the best protection.
The same recommendations exist for H1N1 2009 pandemic influenza vaccine (also known as “swine flu”) regarding who to give it to. This vaccine is not yet available and anticipated to come to offices in late October or November. This vaccine will be purchased by the government and distributed to medical offices and public health clinics to administer. We have applied to be one of those sites. There will be no direct cost of vaccine to families, thought administration fees may apply. These are usually covered by insurance.
At this time we still don’t know if children will need one or two of the H1N1 vaccine. We also don’t yet know about simultaneous administration of H1N1 vaccine along with seasonal influenza vaccine. These questions will be answered in coming months. We will administer this vaccine in our same Saturday AM shot clinics. We anticipate ample supply of both H1N1 vaccine and seasonal influenza vaccines for our patients.
We will continue to update our web site to keep you alert to changes in this important issue. For the latest information visit CDC Influenza site.
Vaccination is our best weapon to decrease the severity and spread of influenza this season!
Polls
Loading ...
