Schedule:

Once the CDC informs us regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, we will make the information available. In addition, please visit the CDC site for updated information regarding H1N1 (swine flu) http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

All our offices will have the flu vaccine available for the patients being seen.

Timing of Vaccination

When should I get vaccinated for the 2009-10 flu season?
Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. Influenza season most often peaks in January or February or later, so for people not able to get their influenza vaccine in the fall, vaccination in December, January and beyond is beneficial in most years (For general information on the timing of flu seasons in the United States, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm.)

Vaccination Protection

If I get vaccinated in August or early September will I be protected all season?
Yes. The protection (immunity) provided by the vaccine lasts about a year, so vaccination in August or early September will continue to provide protection for the duration of the United States flu season, which can last until April or May. Getting vaccinated as soon as vaccine is available may be most important for children being vaccinated against flu for the first time, who need to get two doses of flu vaccine at least 4 weeks apart.

Will this year's vaccine protect me against the flu?
The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. This year’s influenza vaccine contains three new influenza virus strains.

They are:

• A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus;
• A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;
• B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.

The 2009-10 influenza vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses, or it can make your illness milder if you get a related but different strain of flu virus.

For more information about the effectiveness of flu vaccine, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

For more information about how the viruses in the vaccine are selected, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/virusqa.htm

Who should get vaccinated this season?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

People recommended for vaccination during the 2009-10 flu season are:

   Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday

   Pregnant women

   People 50 years of age and older

   People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions

   People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

   People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

   Health care workers

   Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

   Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)