So Much for That Free Flu Shot

I have to admit that I thought it suspicious that Montgomery County was giving free Flu Mist and injectable vaccines to all students in the county. It's a large county, after all. But still, I bit because, well, free is better than paying a co-pay.

Because of various health conditions, both my children need the shot, not the spray. I talked to the school nurse to make sure that this wouldn't be a problem. And I waited. Until last night, that is, when a note came home from school saying that Montgomery County has suspended the seasonal flu vaccine campaign.

So, back to plan A: Go to one of the flu clinics at our pediatrician's office.

Still, lots of questions linger, such as how will this all work?

Here are some details from the Montgomery County letter that went out to parents and the CDC:

• Currently, 99 percent of circulating influenza in Maryland is H1N1. That's not to say that regular influenza won't spike later.
• The live virus sprays of Flu Mist and the H1N1 vaccine cannot be administered together. There is a 28-day waiting period between the two live vaccines, though the CDC reports that if the two are administered in a 21-day period, the vaccines are considered valid.
• Both the flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine can be administered together if one or both is given as an injectable.
• Children 9 and under will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine. Those 10 and older need 1.
• There's no clear delivery date to most providers as of yet for the H1N1 vaccine. However, this just in from the Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services: The first 2500 doses of the nasal spray vaccine have arrived. It is anticipated that injectable flu vaccine will arrive in the next few weeks and there will continue to be deliveries of both types of flu vaccine in the coming weeks and months.
  

Besides schools and your pediatrician's office, their are various retailer flu clinics around the area. The American Lung Association has a handy tool to help you find one.

Have you called your pediatrician about how they are administering flu vaccines? If so, post them here.

Here's what I've learned so far:

Montgomery County Clinics: The first H1N1 nasal spray clinic will be held on Friday, October 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, located at 2000 Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring. The clinic will be focused on the following priority groups: healthy children ages 2-18, health adults up to age 49 who are caretakers of infants younger than six months old, healthy health care workers up to age 49.

Capitol Medical Group, Chevy Chase: Has ordered the H1N1 Vaccine for October delivery, but quantity is not guaranteed and the actual date of arrival is not yet known. Updates available on CMG's Web site. Flu vaccine clinics are being held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Children First Pediatrics in Rockville and Silver Spring: The seasonal flu vaccines, both injectible and Flu Mist are currently available. Call the office to schedule an appointment for either day or evening. Adults who want the vaccine can get it as well. The office expects to receive its shipment of H1N1 vaccine by the end of November. However, the quantity of doses that will arrive is not yet known, so the office reports that it can't make appointments for the H1N1 vaccine yet.

Discovery Pediatrics:  The last flu clinic is tomorrow night (Thursday, Oct. 8) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call to reserve a time. The office has no information yet on the H1N1 vaccine.

Hirsh Pediatrics: After hours walk-in flu clinic is Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m.. You may also walk into the office any weekday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Milestone Pediatrics: The seasonal flu vaccine became available in September. Call the office for an appointment.

Nighttime Pediatrics (Locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg): From its Web site on 10/13: Due to manufacturer shortages, our supplies of seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine are limited at this time. To ensure availability, please call 888.808.6483 before coming to a Care Center for a flu shot, and check this site frequently for updates.

Primary Pediatrics: As of Oct. 6 (yesterday), the office is temporarily out of the seasonal flu vaccine. It is expecting another shipment by mid-late October. The H1N1 vaccine has not yet arrived.

Smita Parikh Mengers: Flu shots and Flu mist available now. H1N1 vaccine coming in November.

Takoma Park Pediatrics: Call the office to schedule a seasonal flu vaccine.  Once H1N1 arrives, TPP will post evening walk-in hours.