Seasonal Flu, H1N1 Flu & Pneumonia Information
The H1N1 Public Inquiry Line
The New Hamphshire Department of Health and Human Services has announced the activation of the H1N1 Flu Public Inquiry Line. Residents may dial 2-1-1 for informaiton the the H1N1 flu vaccine or any other flu related questions.
H1N1: Update March 29, 2010
Currently the incidence of influenza season (both seasonal and H1N1) is low and has been for the past month. DMC and Londonderry Family Practice have H1N1 injections available for all age groups. We also have seasonal flu injections available for children 6mos through 18 years. Unfortunately, we no longer have adult seasonal flu vaccine available. If you would like to schedule an appointment to receive a flu shot, please call 603-537-1300.
Click Here to Learn More about the State of New Hampshire's vaccination distribution plan.
Click Here to Read about the H1N1 Vaccine Recall - December 15, 2009.
The 2009 H1N1 virus spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and sometimes through touching objects contaminated with the virus.
Signs of 2009 H1N1 can include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Muscle Aches
- Chills
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Vaccines are available to protect against the H1N1 flu. These vaccines are made just like seasonal flu vaccines. They are expected to be as safe and effective as seasonal flu vaccines. They will not prevent “influenza like” illnesses caused by other viruses. They will not prevent seasonal flu. YOU SHOULD ALSO GET SEASONAL FLU VACCINE, IF YOU WANT TO BE PROTECTED BY THE SEASONAL FLU.
The H1N1 vaccine comes in two forms. Inactivated vaccine is injected into the muscle, just like the annual flu shot. The other option is a live, intranasal vaccine (nasal spray). Patients not eligible for the nasal spray are pregnant patients, patients under the age of 2yrs or over the age of 49yrs, or people with asthma.
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
In order of priority, you should receive the 2009 H1N1 flu shot if you are:
- Pregnant
- A child 6mos – 4 years old
- Age 5 through 24 years old with underlying medical conditions
- A person caring for or living with infants less than 6 months old
(including partners of pregnant women)
- Health care worker and EMS with direct patient contact
- Adult 25 - 64yrs with underlying medical conditions
- Anyone from 6mos through 24 yrs of age
- Healthy 25 – 64 yr olds
- Adults 65 yrs and older
Children 6mos. through 9 yrs of age should get two doses of vaccine, one month apart from each other. Older children and adults need only one dose. This rule applies for both the injection and the nasal spray.
You should NOT get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine if you have a severe life threatening allergy to eggs - or to any other substance in the vaccine. If you are moderately to severely ill you should wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. Pregnant or breastfeeding women can get the injectable H1N1 vaccine.
If you wish to learn more you can visit CDC’s website at:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or www.cdc.gov/flu
Click here for additional Swine Flu Information:
8 Things You Need to Know Now
**Important Flu Update, as of December 15, 2009
Sanofi, one of the manufacturers of the H1N1 flu vaccine, today recalled 800,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine. This vaccine was designated for children ages 6 months to 25 months old. The recall has been initiated bacause there are potency issues with this batch of vaccine. It is important to note that the vaccine does not pose a danger to children; rather, it is not strong enough to be completely effective. Vaccines included in this recall were not administered at Derry Medical Center.
Children in this age group typically receive two doses of vaccine. If your child has received the first dose of the H1N1 vaccine, he/she will not need to be re-vaccinated with the first dose. Rather, Derry Medical Center has received a shipment of vaccine from another manufacturer, and will be administering second doses from this alternate source. This generally happens one month after the first dose.
If you have questions, please call our office. We are continuing our vaccination program, and are now making appointments for third tier patients.
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The Seasonal Flu: The Single Best Way to Prevent the Flu is to Get a Flu Vaccine Each Year.
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu" is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu usually spreads through the air from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Unlike the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and can be life threatening. Each year over 36,000 people in the U.S. die from complications of the flu.
High Risk Groups & Priority Vaccinations
Flu shots can be given to people 6 months of age and older.
It is recommended for people who are at risk of complications from influenza, and for people who can spread influenza to those at high risk (including all their household members):
- Anyone 65 years of age and older.
- Residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions.
- People who have long-term health problems with:
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- lung disease
- metabolic disease, such as diabetes
- asthma
- anemia, and other blood disorders
- People with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or severe cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems.
- People with a weakened immune system due to:
- HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system
- long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids
- cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
- People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (these people could develop Reye's Syndrome if they got influenza).
- Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.
- All children 6-59 months of age.
People who can spread influenza to those at high risk are:
- Household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of children from 0-59 months of age.
- Physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.
Influenza vaccine is also recommended for adults 50-64 years of age and anyone else who wants to reduce their chance of getting influenza.
A yearly influenza vaccination should be strongly considered for:
- People who provide essential community services.
- People living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks.
- People at high risk of influenza complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time.
People who should not be vaccinated are:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine in the past.
- Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until the symptoms lessen.
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu shot, consult your health care provider.
Prevention
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall. Contact your health care provider to find out if you should get a flu vaccine. To prevent transmission of the flu:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds;
- Rinse and dry hands with a disposable towel and use towel to turn faucet off;
- Use an antibacterial hand gel for the times you cannot wash your hands with soap and water;
- Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, then dispose of tissue and wash your hands;
- Stay home from work or school if you have flu-like symptoms until 48 hours after symptoms stop;
- Refrain from visiting a nursing home if you have flu-like symptoms;
- Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep; and
- Do not share utensils, such as silverware.
Source: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/CDCS/flu.htm
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