Influenza viruses are constantly changing. Therefore, influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended.

Everyone can benefit from an annual influenza vaccine, but it is especially important that young children, pregnant women, people age 50 or older, people with chronic health problems and others at high risk for severe complications from the flu to get vaccinated.  In addition, anyone who lives with or cares for those at high risk should also get vaccinated.

There are two types of vaccines available:

• A flu shot is a vaccine made with inactivated or killed virus that is administered with a needle. It is approved for use in people older than six months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• A nasal spray is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. It is approved for healthy people age 5 to 49 who are not pregnant. People who have asthma, diabetes or other long-term health problems should not receive FluMist.

Although demand for vaccine usually starts early, it’s not too late to benefit from getting vaccinated. Flu season runs from October through April and in Allen County doesn’t typically peak until February, and in some years even later. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies to develop that protect against infection.

H1N1 Vaccine information sheets

Inactivated 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine (injectable)

• English
• Spanish
• Burmese
• Other languages

Live, Intranasal 2009 Influenza Vaccine (nasal spray)

• English
• Spanish
• Burmese
• Other languages

 
List of H1N1 Flu clinics being offered in the area

Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health continues to offer free H1N1 flu vaccine at its Carew Medical Park clinic Monday through Thursday, 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Both the H1N1 nasal spray and the H1N1 injection are available at the clinic. The nasal spray vaccine is recommended for healthy people ages 2 through 49. The H1N1 shot is recommended for all others.

Parkview Health is providing space for the clinic at Carew Medical Park, 1818 Carew St. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (with notarized documentation. Parents should bring the H1N1 vaccination records for children who are returning for a second dose.

H1N1 vaccine is also available at area Walgreens, Meijer and Kroger pharmacies. These stores may charge an administration fee for the vaccine. See you local pharmacy for availability.

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

Vaccines available at the Carew Medical Park

H1N1 vaccine (injectable)

• For anyone 6 months of age or older, including those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
• No child younger than 6 months can get the vaccine
• If a person is ill with a fever, he or she cannot get this vaccine

H1N1 FluMist vaccine (nasal spray)

• For healthy children and young adults 2 to 49 years of age who do not have underlying health conditions
• No child younger than 2 years of age can get this vaccine
• No adult older than 49 can get this vaccine
• Pregnant women cannot 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, he or she 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. Parents should bring the H1N1 vaccination records for children who are returning for a second dose.

Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (with notarized documentation). 

Walgreens
H1N1 vaccine is available on a walk-in basis when an immunization pharmacists is on staff or by appointment.  Cost of administration of the vaccine is $18 and is restritcted to those people 9 years and older. Vaccinations may be covered by insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid. Visit www.walgreens.com/flu or call  1-800-Walgreens to confirm vaccine availability.

Kroger/Scott's
H1N1 vaccine is available at select Kroger locations. Call your local Kroger pharmacy for details.

 List of Seasonal Flu clinics being offered in the area

Super Shot Inc.

Super Shot is offering seasonal flu vaccine suitable for children ages six months through 18 years. Parents are asked to bring the child's shot records; no appointment is necessary. For a list of Super Shot locations and their hours of operation, call 424-7468 or visit www.phpni.com/supershot.htm.