Beginning this 2006-2007 season, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have changed the recommendations for influenza vaccination.
Vaccine Recommendations are still in place for all children ages 6-35 months and all children with chronic illnesses (asthma, wheezing respiratory conditions, heart problems, diabetes). These children will be given top priority at Town and Country Pediatrics.
The new recommendation is for all children ages 6-59 months to receive flu vaccination also.
Vaccine supply will surely not meet demand during this transition year of newly changed guidelines because the manufacturers did not increase supply to accommodate this newly deemed at-risk population. Private health care offices will be operating under shortage conditions for 3-5 year old children. Supply was determined before these new guidelines were published and health care offices must preorder in January, 2005. Keep this in mind as you plan for the influenza season. The Chicago Department of Public Health may have more vaccine than private offices so your children may receive vaccine at any Chicago Department of Public Health clinic. Please call 312-742-3227 to reach the
Chicago Department of Public Health. Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaxprioritygroups.htm for more in depth information on the CDC explanation of the shortage for 3-5 year old children.
Children who are 5 years of age and older and healthy (no chronic illnesses and no asthmatic exacerbations in the last 6 months) and not allergic to eggs are eligible and will only receive Flu Mist (live intranasal) vaccination. This vaccine is safe and effective and can be administered immediately – our supply of this vaccine is unlimited.
Children with a history of egg allergy or with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome will not receive flu vaccine. If your child is sick with a fever or with a significant respiratory illness at the time of flu vaccination, the vaccine will be rescheduled.
Other Important Information:
Town and Country Pediatrics currently has supply of 6-23 month infant vaccine and Flu Mist vaccine (5 years and older healthy patients). We plan flu vaccine clinics at all offices for these patients please call for appointment. If you have an appointment already scheduled within the month, please wait for your next checkup.
If your child has never received flu vaccine before and is ≤ 9 years of age, he/she will need 2 doses of vaccine one month apart. Flu Mist 2nd dose must be given 8 weeks apart.
For all other children who do not meet the above criteria, especially healthy 3-5 year old children, please await further updates. If you are able to get your child vaccinated elsewhere, i.e. a Board of Health clinic, you are encouraged to do so.
If your child received flu vaccine for the first time last year, they will only need 1 dose this year.
Town and Country Pediatrics only administers thimerosal free influenza vaccine to patients.
If your child has never ingested egg before (most babies 6-12 months) your child will need to be monitored in the office for 20-30 minutes after administration of the flu vaccine to ensure that if there is a reaction that your child can be properly cared for. Second dose, too!
A signed consent in the form of a questionnaire must be completed on behalf of your child in order to receive flu vaccine in any form. Click here and bring this questionnaire to the office with you.
