INFLUENZA SEASON WILL BE SOON UPON US

Therefore we must prepare with timely vaccination. West Plano Pediatrics will be holding our first flu clinic on September 27, 2016.

This year the Influenza injection (“Flu Shot”) will be the only vaccine available.

Due to the ineffectiveness of the live nasal spray vaccine (“Flumist”). The following recommendation was issued both by the CDC (Center for Disease Control ) and the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics): Quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) should not be used in any setting during the 2016-’17 influenza season in light of its poor effectiveness in recent seasons, particularly against influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses.

Initial data had demonstrated that the live intranasal vaccine would be more effective than the “Flu shot”; however, data analysis over the past 3 seasons revealed that the live nasal vaccine was only about 3% effective. The “Flu shot” still remains our most effective weapon against the Influenza virus proving to be at least 63% effective during this past flu season.

THEREFORE WEST PLANO PEDIATRICS WILL BE ADMINISTERING THE INJECTABLE FLU VACCINATION THIS YEAR TO ALL OF OUR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS, OUR STAFF AND PARENTS UPON REQUEST.

fluWho should get the “Flu shot”?

West Plano Pediatrics in accordance with the AAP and CDC guidelines strongly recommends that all children ages 6 months and older receive the Influenza vaccination ideally by the end of October. Infants 6 months and older who have never received the Influenza vaccine before will require 2 half doses spaced 4 weeks apart. All other children who have been vaccinated in previous seasons will require only one dose.

Serious complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, wheezing, sinus infections and prolonged fevers are highest in children under 5 years of age and adults over 50; however, even healthy young children and adolescents can have prolonged courses, respiratory distress and even death.

All children with underlying conditions such as immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases, asthma and diabetes should receive the Influenza vaccine including all household contacts.

Parents, College Students, Grandparents etc. should all receive the “Flu shot”. We are not only protecting ourselves from the serious sequelae of Influenza, but we are also protecting our most fragile; especially those under 6 months who cannot yet receive the vaccine.

Each year, about 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized because of complications related to the flu and about 100 children die, according to the CDC.

Finally, all children with egg allergy can safely receive the Influenza vaccine (“Flu shot”).

Most Influenza vaccines are produced in eggs but contain trace amounts of egg protein. Recent studies have shown that the amount of egg protein in the vaccine does not impart an increased risk of anaphylactic reaction to vaccination. The recommended waiting period is 15 minutes of observation, as with all other vaccines.

Please call the office today to schedule your child’s Influenza vaccination appointment!

Flu clinic dates: 9/27, 10/1, 10/5, 10/10, 10/15, 10/19, 11/5