Flu Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual seasonal flu vaccination to prevent getting or spreading the flu. The strains that are included in the seasonal flu vaccines change every year, so you must be vaccinated against seasonal flu every year.   In April 2009, a new flu virus, H1N1,  appeared.  H1N1, also called swine flu, has spread internationally. The H1N1 flu vaccine is intended to be used alongside the seasonal flu vaccine. It does not replace the seasonal flu vaccine.

H1N1 Vaccination Coverage: 500K by Valentine's Day

The Department of Health is encouraging all Rhode Islanders to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Even if you think you are healthy, you are still at risk. The more people who get vaccinated, the less likely it is that we will see a third wave of H1N1 flu this spring. Our goal is to have 500,000 Rhode Islanders vaccinated by Valentine’s Day, 2010. So far, 356,342 Rhode Islanders have been vaccinated.

H1N1 Vaccine Availability

The H1N1 vaccine has now become available to the general public at many local pharmacies. Free public H1N1 vaccination clinics are also being planned in many Rhode Island cities and towns for the coming weeks. Check the Flu Shot Finder for a full listing of nearby public clinics.

Population	Vaccination Location	Estimated Start Date
Pregnant women	Birthing hospitals, OB/GYNs, midwives	Mid October
Children (6 months through 5 years)*	Pediatricians, family practitioners	Mid October
School-age children (K-12; public, private, parochial and home schooled)*	School-based clinics	Early November
Post-partum women up to 6 months post-partum	Birthing hospitals, Prenatal care provider offices	Mid November
Young adults (age 19 through 24)	University / college-based clinics, public clinics, pharmacies	December
Healthcare workers and first responders with direct patient care	Healthcare Service Region (HSR) hospital-run clinics	December - January
Adults (age 25 through 64) with underlying medical conditions	Provider offices, pharmacies, public clinics	December - January
Household contacts / caregivers of infants younger than 6 months	Provider offices, pharmacies, public clinics	December - January
Seniors (age 65+)	Pharmacies, public clinics, provider offices	December - January
Healthy adults (age 25 through 64)	Pharmacies, public clinics, provider offices	December - January

* Children younger than ten years of age will need two doses of vaccine, at least 28 days apart.

Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Public demand for the seasonal flu vaccine was higher this year than in years past, creating some shortages and cancellations of clinics. Seasonal flu vaccine may still be available at some providers' offices, pharmacies, and public clinics. Almost all of the influenza illness Rhode Island has seen this flu season has been due to H1N1, not to seasonal flu. Rhode Islanders are encouraged to receive the H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available to them.

Who should get immunized

Anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting seasonal flu. It is recommended particularly for:

• Children and teens 6 months to 19 years old
• Pregnant women
• People age 50 or older
• Nursing or group home residents
• Persons with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, anemia, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems
• People who live with or care for those at high risk of flu-related complications

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When to get immunized

Seasonal flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the flu season. While flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, seasonal flu activity usually peaks in the winter.

Where to get immunized

Adults:  at your doctor’s office, public flu clinics, adult immunization clinics, or at your workplace.
Children:  at their pediatricians’ offices.
Homebound Individuals: call the Flu Hotline at 1-800-555-7858 to make arrangements.

Cost

Cost of the vaccine varies, depending on where you are vaccinated and what type of insurance plan you have. Most health insurers will cover the cost of the vaccine if you receive it from your primary care provider. Check with your insurance plan or healthcare provider for more information.

What to expect after you get immunized

Most people do not experience serious side effects after receiving flu vaccines.  Side effects from the flu shot may include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, low fever, or aches for a day or two. For individuals vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist), side effects may also include runny nose, wheezing, headache, and vomiting.  You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine.