Children who got first dose of H1N1 flu vaccine may be ready for round two

Children who were vaccinated for H1N1 flu any time before Oct. 23 are now eligible for a second dose.  For a lot of parents, that is a reminder that it may be time to head back to the Carew Medical Park clinic.

The clinic is open today from 2 to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The wait times have been less than a half-hour this week.

Children under the age of 10 need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected. Only H1N1 injectable vaccine is available at this time. A child can get the H1N1 injectable vaccine as the second dose even if he or she got the nasal spray vaccine the first time.

“What we know is that the first dose only provides partial immunity,” says Dr. Deborah McMahan, Allen County Health Commissioner. “For full effectiveness, a second dose is necessary.”

Parents will need to bring a child’s H1N1 vaccination card in order for the child to get the second dose at Carew. If a parent has lost or misplaced the card, the parent will need to request an immunization record by going to the health department’s main office on the 5^th floor of the City-County Building during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The H1N1 vaccine is also available at the Carew clinic to pregnant women, caregivers of infants less than six months of age, children and young people between 6 months and 24 years of age, adults 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions, and healthcare workers and emergency medical services personnel.

Seasonal flu vaccine for children 6 months to 18 years of age is being offered while supplies last.

More than 17,300 people have been vaccinated for H1N1 flu since the clinic opened on Oct. 9. The vaccines are free. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (with notarized documentation).

Vaccines available at the Carew Medical Park clinic 

Individuals within the following priority groups are currently eligible for H1N1 vaccination:

• pregnant women
• people who live with or care for infants under 6 months of age
• children and young people from 6 months old to 24 years old*
• adults age 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions
• health care and emergency medical services personnel

* Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected. 

H1N1 vaccine (injectable)

• For pregnant women
• For persons of any age who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)
• For children and young people age 6 months through 24 years of age
• For adults age 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
• If a person is ill with a fever, he or she cannot get the vaccine
• No child younger than six months can get the vaccine

Seasonal Flu vaccine (injectable)

• For children 6 months to 18 years of age
• No child younger than six months can get the vaccine

Anyone experiencing symptoms of influenza should stay home and contact a health care provider. People can also limit the spread of flu by covering their cough and washing their hands.

For more information, go to www.FightTheFlu.org or call 2-1-1.