Children can get second dose of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine Tuesday at Carew

Children can get a first or second dose of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine Tuesday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at Carew Medical Park. A limited amount of seasonal flu vaccine will also be available to children and teenagers.

The nasal mist vaccine is the only type of H1N1 vaccine that will be offered Tuesday. This vaccine is being reserved for healthy, non-pregnant people between the ages of 2 and 24 and caregivers (up to age 49) of infants less than six months of age.

Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected. Children who were vaccinated for H1N1 any time before Oct. 13 are now eligible for a second dose. A child can get the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine as the second dose even if he or she got the injectable vaccine as the first dose.

 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 health department also received some additional supply of seasonal flu vaccine and will make it available to children 6 months to 18 years of age.

More than 12,900 people have been vaccinated for H1N1 flu since the clinic opened on Oct. 9. Parkview Health is providing space for the clinic at Carew Medical Park, 1818 Carew St. The vaccines are free. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

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.

Vaccines available at the Carew Medical Park clinic

 H1N1 FluMist vaccine (nasal spray)

• For healthy children and young adults 2 to 24 years of age who do not have underlying health conditions
• For persons up to age 49 who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)
• No child younger than 2 years of age can get this vaccine
• No adult older than 49 can get this vaccine
• If a person has had any live vaccine such as the MMR, Varicella (chickenpox) or the seasonal flu mist vaccine in the last 28 days, the child cannot receive the H1N1 FluMist vaccine

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

Seasonal Flu vaccine (injectable)

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