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H1N1 vaccine: Will your family get it?
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Image Credit: Paul de Bruin
The first H1N1 vaccines arrived in St. Louis a week ago, and while many wait in long lines for their vaccinations, STL Today reports that only about 35 percent of area residents will actually be vaccinated this year.
In fact, the report said, 40 percent of parents aren't worried about their kids getting the H1N1 virus since most kids only experience mild symptoms and are able to recover at home.
However, the CDC says that certain groups, including most families, should get the vaccine as soon as possible to reduce the spread of the virus.
Officially, the groups include "pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems."
And, while the CDC doesn't expect to have a shortage of vaccines, they say that there may be a temporary shortage as people rush to get their vaccinations.
"In this setting," says the CDC's report, "the committee recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions."
The St. Louis County Health Department has agreements with all 23 area school districts, which are offering the vaccine free of charge and will dispense it to any child who has parental authorization to receive it.
Kathleen M. Berchelmann, MD, who works with several area hospitals, including St. Louis Children's Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, strongly recommends that families get the vaccine.
"I understand the concerns of parents who worry that this year’s flu vaccine may be too new to be well tested. But, the flu vaccine is new every year," Berchelmann says. "The fact that this vaccine includes protection against different strains including novel H1N1 doesn’t make it much different than the flu shot that is always adjusted every year."
When parents worry that the vaccine might be too dangerous, Berchelmann reminds them that the H1N1 virus can be fatal for kids--and that even those who don't die may be hospitalized--even previously healthy kids. So what do St. Louis parents think? Will you get the vaccine for your family?
"I understand the concerns of parents who worry that this year’s flu vaccine may be too new to be well tested. But, the flu vaccine is new every year," Berchelmann says. "The fact that this vaccine includes protection against different strains including novel H1N1 doesn’t make it much different than the flu shot that is always adjusted every year."
When parents worry that the vaccine might be too dangerous, Berchelmann reminds them that the H1N1 virus can be fatal for kids--and that even those who don't die may be hospitalized--even previously healthy kids. So what do St. Louis parents think? Will you get the vaccine for your family?
For more info: Check out the CDC's dedicated H1N1 information page. Read more about family health from the St. Louis Family & Parenting Examiner.
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