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H1N1 Update

November 2, 2009
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Last week the community demand for the free H1N1 vaccine began to exceed supply, and in response, Los Angeles County's Director of Public Health and First 5 LA Commissioner Jonathan Fielding has asked that only those in the designated priority groups — including pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants under 6 months of age, or young people aged 6 months to 24 years of age — come out for the vaccination. It was also announced that to ensure that the vaccine is available throughout the county for these groups, screening will be intensified, and vaccine clinics that reach capacity before posted closing hours will close early.

So that you and your family are prepared, the L.A. County Public Health Department has issued the list of screening questions being asked at each vaccine clinic.

Screening questions include:

  • Date of birth?
  • Do you have any of the following conditions? Asthma, heart, lung, kidney, liver or neurological disease, cancer, diabetes, blood disorder, compromised immune system.
  •  Are you pregnant or do you think you may be pregnant?
  •  Do you take care of or live in a household with a child less than 6 months of age?

The Public Health Department has also issued a "Frequently Asked Questions" sheet for parents and pregnant women. The FAQ sheets (links below) include questions and answers such as the following:

How is Pandemic H1N1 flu treated in children?

Like with seasonal flu, lots of fluids and plenty of rest away from work or school are recommended. Give your child plenty of clear fluids (like water, chicken broth, sports drinks, and electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte®) to prevent dehydration. You may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), or naproxen (Aleve®) - NOT aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). For more serious cases of the flu, your child's healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral medication. This can make the illness milder, make symptoms last a shorter period of time, and prevent serious complications.

Is the Pandemic H1N1 flu vaccine safe for pregnant women?

Influenza vaccines have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their fetuses. Pregnant women should only get the "flu shot," which is a vaccine containing killed viruses given with a needle. Pregnant women should not get a live intranasal influenza vaccine (nasal spray) because this contains weakened live viruses and is not approved for use in pregnant women.

Click here to download the FAQ for parents in English and click here to download it in Spanish. Click here to download the FAQ for pregnant women.

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