Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) recently announced the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is now available at the flu clinic in the Medication Refill Pharmacy building for special groups of patients in our community.
TCRHCC has received an increased supply of 2009 H1N1 Flu vaccine in the past week.
“While this is not enough vaccine to allow us to vaccinate anyone who is requesting vaccine, we are able to expand our priority groups to include more people,” said Dr. Diana Hu, Pediatrician and Immunization Coordinator at TCRHCC.
TCRHCC recommends the following groups of people to get a 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine:
- All children 6 months to 18 years of age
- All parents/primary caretakers of children less than 6 months of age
- All pregnant women
- All persons with high risk medical conditions 18-25 years of age:
- Asthma or chronic lung disease
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Neurodevelopmental /neuromuscular/metabolic illnesses
- Immune compromise
- Any adults < 65 years of age who have impaired immunity or are taking medicines that can change immunity- transplant patients, patients on cancer chemotherapy, patients on immune modulator therapy for arthritis or other chronic illness
- Health care workers and emergency services personnel
These groups of people are chosen as first priority because of either an increased risk of contacting someone with the 2009 H1N1 flu, or because studies have shown that they are in a group that is more likely to be hospitalized or have severe illness if they get the 2009 H1N1 flu infection.
This season, there are two types of vaccine that will protect people from the 2009 H1N1 flu. The nasal spray vaccine, called “LAIV” (Live Attenuated Influenza Virus Vaccine), is recommended for persons 2 years to 50 years of age who have no chronic medical problems, no recent history of wheezing, and are not pregnant. Dr.Hu said, “This vaccine involves no needles, and may give immunity and protection against the 2009 H1N1 flu sooner than the injectable (“shot”) vaccine we have. We hope most patients will agree to use this vaccine for those reasons.”
“For those who cannot use the LAIV, we also have injectable vaccine (“a shot”),” Dr. Diana Hu said. “However, this does not stimulate the immune system as quickly as the LAIV, so we are trying to reserve this vaccine for those who cannot use the LAIV.”
All children under 10 years of age will need two 2009 H1N1 flu vaccines at least 4 weeks apart to make sure they get a good immune response to the vaccine. Adults only need one vaccine.
Dr. Hu is asking parents to get their children immunized soon, as not only will it protect that individual child, but also will help protect others in the community as it will decrease the spread of 2009 H1N1 illness in schools and homes.
The Flu Vaccine Clinic is located at Medication Refill Pharmacy trailer, on the east side of the main hospital, open from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays and weekends. You do not need an appointment to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.
For updates and information, check on-line at tchealth.org or call the Flu Clinic at (928) 283-1439 for the latest information.
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