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- Regular Flu
Shots and H1N1 flu shots
should be in stock by 9/15/10, possibly as early as
9/9/10 for regular strength Sanofi Pasteur vaccine for
6 months through adult, including pregnant patients.
The 2010 formulation is a combined regular and H1N1
vaccine, meaning most adults will only need one shot.
Children may need one or two doses, depending on their
vaccination status from 2009. The CDC recommends that
anyone ages 6 months through adult receive the flu
vaccine.
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- The Sanofi Pasteur
regular dose vaccine is safe from 6 months onward and
during pregnancy. I will stock a limited selection of
high dose flu vaccine for patients who are 65 or
older. Flu shots will be given from September through
March. Regular flu shots are open to anyone who wants
one, who is 6 months or older, and who has no egg
allergy. The exception is HMO or Medicare complete
patients, who have another doctor's name on their
card. Please note that we only stock the preservative
free vaccine.
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- Some patients have asked about getting
flu shots for "free" or at flu shot pharmacies. Be
very careful where you get your flu shots, as many of
the "free" or low cost flu shots, may contain mercury
and are not preservative free. Some of these same
vaccines at pharmacies also are not approved down to
age 6 months and no one has the high dose flu vaccines
that is for 65 or older until September, 2010. The
mercury containing vaccines are not approved during
pregnancy or for early pediatrics patients.
Progressive states, such as Missouri, require
preservative free vaccine for certain patients. The
Country Doctor is willing to spend the extra money to
purchase Sanofi Pasteur preservative free vaccines for
children and adults.
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-
- The CDC recommends the following people get flu
shots:
- Anyone ages 6 months through adult, new 2010
recommendation.
- Sanofi Pasteur's inactivated trivalent vaccine
Fluzone High-Dose for patients 65 and older instead of
a standard influenza vaccine.
- Do Not use Afluria/CSL Biotherapies' brand flu
vaccine secondary to the risk of febrile seizures in
children age 6 months through 8 years. This may be
extended to other age groups.
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- CDC
Flu vaccine information handout
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- Country
Doctor flu vaccine consent form
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- Influenza symptoms, as adapted from
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030101/111.html
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Influenza
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Cold
|
|
Onset
|
Abrupt
|
Gradual
|
|
Fever*
|
Common: 100°F to 104°F
|
Uncommon or only 1°F increase
|
|
Myalgia*
|
Severe, common
|
Uncommon
|
|
Arthralgia
|
Severe, common
|
Uncommon
|
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Anorexia
|
Common
|
Uncommon
|
|
Headache
|
Severe, common
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Mild, uncommon
|
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Cough (dry)*
|
Common, severe
|
Mild to moderate
|
|
Malaise
|
Severe
|
Mild
|
|
Fatigue, weakness
|
More common than with the common
cold;lasts 2 to 3 weeks
|
Very mild, short lasting
|
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Chest discomfort
|
Common, severe
|
Mild to moderate
|
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Stuffy nose
|
Occasional
|
Common
|
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Sneezing
|
Occasional
|
Common
|
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Sore throat
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Occasional
|
Common
|
*--common features of influenza.
Adapted
from the AAFP
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