Will your pediatrician have flu shots?
Will you be able to get a flu shot at work or school?
Remember that the shortages of flu shots the last few years left many parents scrambling to find flu shots for their kids. Last year was supposed to be different though, with over 130 million doses of flu vaccine being available. Having to produce the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine got in the way of making seasonal flu vaccine though, and some parents had a hard time getting their kids a flu shot when they wanted to.
2011 Flu Vaccines
With over 166 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine available this year and several new flu vaccine manufacturers, everyone should be able to get a flu vaccine this year. And that is good news, especially since the latest flu vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now state that all persons 6 months and older should get a yearly flu shot.
This is a great time to figure out where your family will get a flu shot -- before this year's flu season gets started.
Although kids used to start getting their flu shot in October or November, the CDC now advocates 'beginning use of seasonal vaccine as soon as available, including in September or earlier,' which means that most pediatricians have already started offering flu shots.
Flu Shot Shortages?
If your child does need a flu shot, your pediatrician is the best place to start looking, but if they aren't offering flu vaccine this year, you might check with your local health department, hospital, or pharmacies, and get one wherever you can.
Fortunately, no one is talking about seasonal flu shot shortages this year. In fact, many pediatricians started giving seasonal flu vaccines early this year, as soon as they got their shipments.
Remember that with the latest recommendations, it is recommended that all children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years now get a seasonal flu vaccine each year. Fortunately, kids won't have to get an additional swine flu vaccine this year. The 2011 flu vaccine now includes protection against the 2009 H1N1 virus.
Find a Flu Shot
In addition to your pediatrician, other places to look if you can't find a flu vaccine for your child might include:
- the American Lung Association web site ( www.lungusa.org ) and their online flu shot locator.
- Google Flu Vaccine Finder, find a flu shot near you by entering your city and state or zip code.
- your local or state health department (this is often your best bet to get a flu shot).
- flu shot clinics advertised at pharmacies (CVS and Walgreens, etc), grocery stores (Kroger, Tom Thumb, etc.), community centers, churches, office parks, shopping malls, schools, etc.
Keep in mind that many places that offer flu shots outside a doctor's office may not give them to young children, especially if they are under four years old, so call ahead. Or see if they will give your younger child a flu shot if you have a prescription from your pediatrician.
FluMist
FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine will again be in good supply this year, and may be a good option for healthy people from the ages of 2 to 49 years. And because they have lowered the price to make it more competitive with flu shots, it may be a more economical option too. Plus, FluMist is an especially good option for healthy people aged 2 to 49 years who are caregivers or household contacts of infants less than 6 months old and most health care workers, as long as they don't care for severely immuno-compromised patients.
Problems Finding Flu Shots
The bottom line right now is that there shouldn't be any shortages this year, but in case there are some flu shot delays, which seem to come up each year, if you have an opportunity to get a flu shot for your high-risk child, take it. You might not get another chance if problems do develop as they have in the last few years. Also, since children under age 9 years who are getting a flu vaccine for the first time need two doses, it may be a good idea to get a seasonal flu vaccine as early as possible, so that they are fully protected before flu season starts.
Don't be surprised if you can't find a flu shot right now, as shipments are just beginning. Deliveries of flu shots usually continue through December and into February, so even doctors and clinics who don't have any flu shots right now, might get some soon. Or ask to be put on a waiting list and to be called as soon as any flu shots come in.
Free Flu Shots
While flu shots aren't as expensive as some other childhood vaccines, they aren't necessarily cheap either. Fortunately, the 2011 flu vaccine is covered by Medicaid and most insurance plans that cover other childhood immunizations.
For those families that need help getting a flu vaccine for their kids, some sources of free flu shots to consider might include:
- your local health department
- a pediatrician that participates in the Vaccines for Children program
- a church sponsored flu clinic
- a school based flu clinic
Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System
In addition to the problems manufacturing the pediatric flu shot a few years ago, as in past years, there was a problem with distributing flu shots to doctors. This is why you see some pediatricians with plenty of flu shots for all of their patients and other offices with a limited supply. Or some pediatricians with no flu shots, but a grocery store down the road having daily flu clinics for whoever wants one.
Hopefully the addition of more flu shot manufacturers will help to resolve this problem in the future, but until then, the CDC and AMA have set up the Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System to try and match up doctors and flu shot distributors to help make sure all flu shots are used by the patients who need them. If your pediatrician doesn't have any flu shots, you might make them aware of this service and see if he can order some.
Flu Shots:
Updated for the 2011-2012 Flu Season.
For more information, please visit our guide to Kids and the Flu.
Sources:
CDC. Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011. MMWR. August 26, 2011 / 60(33);1128-1132
