Both as a state leader invested in public health and as a mother, I am watching carefully the progress of H1N1 and the plans for vaccinating children, pregnant women and others at risk in our state.
H1N1 is such an unusual flu because it most severely affects a much different population than the usual wintertime flu—namely the young and healthy. As we begin widespread vaccination programs with the new vaccine, there is some confusion about which vaccine to get and when.
For instance, my daughter in college, Kathleen, sent me a text recently saying she had gotten her flu shot so she was protected from swine flu (yeah, kids still call it that). I scratched my head because I knew that vaccine was not yet available, and told her she should check because I was sure it was the seasonal flu vaccine she’d received, not H1N1. She checked back with health services and let me know that she would (much to her annoyance) still need to get her H1N1 vaccine.
That illustrates so well the confusion about this fall’s vaccination plans. I’m glad to see so many get their seasonal flu shots and that will help us when winter comes. But we now must make sure that those who need it most get the H1N1 vaccine as well.
To be clear: Those under age 24, pregnant women and those with preexisting health conditions should all get the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available here in the next few weeks (visit the state Department of Health’s site on H1N1 vaccinations for schedule information).
I know that when the letter arrives for my daughter Nora, a senior in high school, to be vaccinated, I will be returning her permission form right away. And I will continue to remind Kathleen that one flu shot isn’t enough this year.
I encourage other parents to do the same. The H1N1 vaccine has been tested and approved by the FDA, and is the best way to keep your children safe and healthy. The Providence Journal ran an excellent op-ed yesterday that debunked some myths about the H1N1 virus that are circulating on the Web. Stay healthy, RI!