2011 / 2012 Flu Vaccinations

The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual flu vaccination for all children 6 months of age and above.  It is recommended that you get vaccinated as soon as product is available so that you are protected. 

By getting the flu vaccine you can protect yourself from influenza and may also avoid spreading influenza to others.  There are two types of influenza vaccine:  Inactivated (“Flu Shot”) or Live, Attenuated (Intranasal – FluMist).  Please speak to one of our providers to determine which vaccine is best for your child.  Please call our office to schedule your child's appointment today.

Signs & Symptoms of Influenza

• Fatigue, Body Aches, Chills, Headache, Fever, Cough, Sore Throat, Runny or Stuffy Nose.
• Children with Influenza must remain at home for seven days unless instructed otherwise.
• Flu can cause other complications.  Antiviral medications may or may not be prescribed even with a positive test result depending on the severity.  If your child becomes ill please call our office immediately.

It is important that your child not be exposed to other children who are sick, and that if your child has a flu-like illness that he or she does not expose others, in order to keep from spreading illness.

Some Things You Can Do To Keep You & Your Child Healthy:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hand, when you cough or sneeze.  Do NOT use your hands.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Only use an alcohol based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you or your child get sick with flu-like symptoms stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from spreading your illness.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.

New / Updated Immunization Recommendations

Gardisil/HPV Vaccine – Now Indicated for both Females and Males

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. There are many different types of HPV and millions are infected each year.  It is important to know that HPV can cause genital warts and cervical cancer in women. HPV is also associated with several less common cancers, such as vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and other types of cancer in both males and females.  A breakthrough vaccine has been developed, known as Gardisil. This vaccine protects against 4 major types of HPV. This vaccine can prevent most genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer. This vaccine is recommended for all females between the ages of 9 and 26 years of age and all males between 11 and 26 years of age.  It is important to get vaccinated well before their first sexual contact.  This series consists of 3 doses.  The 2nd dose is two months from the first, and a 3rd dose 6 months from the first.  Ask one of our providers for more information about getting vaccinated.

Menactra – Booster Dose Recommended

This vaccine can prevent 4 types of meningococcal disease, which is a very serious disease caused by bacteria.  Meningococcal disease is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years old in the United States.  Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.  Anyone can get meningitis.  Approximately 2,600 people in the United States get meningococcal infections each year.  10-15% of these people die, in spite of treatment with antibiotics.  Of those who live, another 11-19% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have nervous system problems, become mentally retarded or suffer seizures or strokes.  . It is recommended that all children be vaccinated at 11-12 years of age to prevent this potentially fatal infection.  A booster dose at 16 years of age is recommended.  Talk to one of our providers to learn more about this highly recommended vaccine.

TDaP

We recommend that all patients 11-12 years of age and older receive the TDaP vaccine in place of the previously recommended Tetanus Diptheria (TD) Booster.  This new vaccine contains Pertussis, which is still quite prevalent.

Pertussis (also known as Whooping Cough) causes coughing spells that can be so severe that it becomes difficult for infants to eat, drink, and breathe.  These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.