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In this newsletter:
Shot or Spray?
How Many Doses?
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No Appointment yet? Book a Clinic date!
A Few Reminders:
Walk-in Hours
(sick visits only)
7a-7:45a
Monday - Friday
(No appointment needed!)

CALL Early
Monday - Saturday
(for same day sick visit appointment)

CALL Early
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(for urgent-sick visits
with our on-call providers)
Sick or Injured?
We are available
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7 days/week at
978-975-3355
 
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Influenza FAQ 

   

INFLUENZA VACCINE 2012
August 2012
FLU VACCINE IS ON IT'S WAY!

We will receive approximately 2,500 doses for the whole season.  Flu Vaccine doses will be sent to us in separate shipments over several months, so we do expect to run out at points during the season. We do not have a shipping schedule from the manufacturer, and do not know when shipments will arrive.  

INFLUENZA: THE DISEASE 
 

Influenza (The Flu) is a contagious respiratory illness cause by influenza virus and can cause mild to severe illness.

Transmission

  • Spread from person to person in respiratory droplets of a cough or sneeze.
  • Touch of respiratory droplets on another person or object and ten touches their own mouth and nose before washing their hands. 
3 IN 1 THIS YEAR 

 

This year's formulations of flu vaccine covers 3 strains, which covers all the flu strains your child might be exposed to this winter.

  • Influenza A (H1N1) 
  • Influenza A (H3N2) 
  • Influenza B 

The vaccine can protect against illness from the flu viruses,  or it can make illness milder if people are exposed to a different but related flu virus.  We recommend our patients are vaccinated every year.  The body's immunity from the vaccine decreases after a year, so the body needs a new vaccine to renew immunity.

 

 

SHOT vs. NASAL SPRAY:

The Two vaccines we have available are the shot and the nasal spray. Both work equally well; the shot is the standard default vaccine. The nasal spray is good for kids who are particularly afraid of shot, but it is more expensive and we receive a smaller number of doses of spray. The nasal spray cannot be given under age 2 years, and it also should not be given to asthmatics that have wheezed or needed to use an asthma medication in the past year.

 

CDC FluMist Info 

CDC Flu Vaccine Info 

HOW MANY DOSES OF FLU DOES YOUR CHILD NEED? 

Most patients who have received any kind of flu vaccine in the past will only need one dose of this year's vaccine, but patients under the age of 9 years getting flu vaccine for the first time may still need two doses.

 

IF YOUR CHILD IS ALREADY SCHEDULED FOR A VISIT:

If you have a visit booked for any other reason in the next few months, your child (and siblings) should receive a flu vaccine at that visit. Some illnesses prevent a child from receiving vaccines, we will book another time to return for a flu shot.  

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT IN A FLU CLINIC:

 

Flu clinics will run Fridays 10a-11a only.  We will book clinics as we receive vaccine.  Clinic dates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

 

First clinic date:  Friday 8/17/12 at 10am 

 

EMAIL FOR A CLINIC APPOINTMENT: Erin@chmed.com   

 

Remember to keep flu and flu like illness in perspective.  For most children both versions of the flu are mild, self limited illnesses.  The most important thing always is always to keep a close eye on your child when they are sick, and if you are worried about their symptoms bring them in to the office. 

 

Sincerely,
Providers and the staff at
Children's Medical Office of North Andover, P.C.
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