We are temporarily out of the Seasonal Influenza vaccine. We are about to receive a second shipment any day now.

We want everyone to be aware of this year’s special circumstances when it comes to flu vaccines. We usually start giving the seasonal influenza vaccine in the month of October, but this year most health care providers received their first shipment in September and started giving flu shots during the month of September.

With the numerous cases of Influenza A (H1N1) emerging, and a new vaccine for Influenza A (H1N1) on the horizon, the CDC advised to start giving the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine earlier this year, to make it easier to deal with the new Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine when it becomes available. The recommendation was also made due to concern for patients with chronic conditions, such as children with asthma and respiratory difficulties, whom would benefit from getting the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine as soon as possible.

Our office received a shipment of the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in September and we have finished administering that shipment. We are now waiting for the second shipment to arrive and, as soon as it arrives, we will notify you here on our web site.

This situation doesn’t indicate that the seasonal flu vaccine is going to be scarce this season; production is going to be sufficient and the temporary delay in distribution we are seeing reflects pure logistical challenges and should not be of concern.

When the seasonal flu vaccine becomes available, we should be able to give to patients, parents and siblings as we have done in the past.

The second situation we want to inform you about is the Influenza A Vaccine (H1N1). The CDC made recommendations for the administration of the new Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine which we have posted on our web site. The vaccine will be available at our office when we receive it. We will make every effort to post information about the new vaccine administration on our web site as well.

Pediatric Center of Round Rock

About Dr. Marta Katalenas M.D.

Dr. Marta Katalenas is a Board Certified Pediatrician specializing in childhood obesity and owns the Pediatric Center of Round Rock located in Round Rock, Texas. Dr. Katalenas is a professional speaker and author of the upcoming book "From Scratch", a guide to healthy cooking and eating for busy families.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 1:10 pm and is filed under Influenza (Flu). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.