Flu Vaccines – Seasonal and H1N1

Baltimore County Public Schools &nb= sp; =

Baltimore County Department of Health

Flu Vaccines ̵= 1; Seasonal and H1N1

What is the differ= ence between Seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines?

This year the flu vaccine is coming in two parts. The Seasonal part targets flu stra= ins that were predicted to be circulating, based on information available in the winter of 2009. In the spring= of 2009, health officials discovered a new strain of flu, called H1N1 or “swine” flu. A se= parate vaccine has now been developed for this new strain.

Will there be a flu vaccine that contains both strains (seasonal and H1N1)?

No, not this year.

Who should get the= H1N1 flu vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the follow= ing groups get the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it is available:

Pregnant wome= n

Persons carin= g for children under 6 months of age

Persons betwe= en the age of 6 months and 24 years

Persons betwe= en the ages of 25 years and 64 years who have a chronic health condition (like diabetes) that places them at increased risk for complications of the = flu

Health care w= orkers

Is H1N1 vaccine available? Where will I be ab= le to get my child an H1N1 shot?

As of the writing of this document (9/28/09), no H1N1 vaccine is yet available. The Department of Health expects to receive vaccine in mid to late October = and will begin a series of public clinics once the vaccine arrives. These clinics will be publicized t= hrough our schools and through the media. Many of the clinics will be held in Baltimore County school buildings. Some scho= ols may have a clinic held at their school during the school day. Some private doctors have also registered to be a provider of this vaccine. You can check with your child̵= 7;s doctor to see if your child will be able to get the vaccine at his/her doctor’s office.