Here is an update and revision from my post from yesterday. My practice just received our first shipment of the H1N1 SHOT. It is Sanofi brand and they are multi-dose vials (which means several doses of vaccine are contained in each vial). This vaccine is approved for use in children ages 6 months old and up. This version does contain a small amount of thimerosal as a preservative. Despite that, I still encourage families to get their kids vaccinated with this shot.

If you are concerned about thimerosal, here are some key stats:

Children 6 months to under 3 years old, Sanofi multidose flu vaccine: 0.0125 mg ethyl mercury (thimerosal)

Children 3 years old and up, Sanofi multidose flu vaccine: 0.025 mg ethyl mercury (thimerosal)

By comparison, 1 liter of breast milk contain 0.015 mg methylmercury and a 5 oz can of tuna fish has 0.115 mg of methylmercury. Both contain more mercury!

Here are some other key points:

• The H1N1 shot can be given to anyone who is 6 months and older.
• If your child received seasonal flu shot or Flumist, there is no time interval required between that vaccine and this one. In fact, the H1N1 shot can be given at the same time as the seasonal flu shot or Flumist.
• Kids under 10 years of age need 2 doses given 28 days apart for best protection.
• It takes about 2 weeks to mount an immune response to the vaccine.

Who cannot get this vaccine?

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• People who developed Guillain Barre Syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. 
• Children younger than 6 months of age
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

I just got the H1N1 shot and I'm feeling pretty good! For patients at Capital Pediatrics: We have 320 doses of the H1N1 shot and just received another 500 doses of the H1N1 Nasal spray. Anyone who wants to get the vaccine can set up an appointment.

Ari Brown, M.D., FAAP, is a pediatrician, book author, child health advocate, and a mom. Dr. Brown completed a bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her general pediatric residency at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Brown is Board Certified and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She works full-time in private practice in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Brown’s passion to educate families about children’s health led her to co-author the books, Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year and Toddler 411. She has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CNN, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, and ABC News. She serves on the advisory board for Parents Magazine and hosts a message board at their website, Parents.com.

H1N1 Vaccine Arrives: A Pediatrician's Instructions

Copyright © 2006-2010, Basil & Spice. All rights reserved.