As of October 7, 2009, these are the regular (”seasonal”) flu vaccines we have in stock:

For patients with “Commercial” insurance (Blue Cross, Aetna, Coventry, etc.): we have all “regular flu” vaccines:
-  shots for all children under 3
-  nasal spray for all children over 2 (EXCEPT those with asthma)
-  shots for all children over 3 (INCLUDING those with asthma) (This is *new!* as of 9/25/09; so if we delayed giving flu vaccine last month because your child has asthma, NOW you can call us to schedule a flu shot.)

For patients with “Medicaid” insurance (Delaware Physician’s Care, Unison, etc.):
-  We have flu vaccine ONLY for patients over 8 years old (healthy or asthmatic).  I will post a note here when they are delivered; we hope to have them by Halloween.

“Swine Flu” (Novel H1N1) vaccines:  As of 10/7/09:
-  NO vaccines yet.  They will be delivered in shipments spread across many weeks.  The CDC is just starting to distribute Swine Flu vaccine to hospitals.
-  Eventually we will have both nasal vaccines and injections
-  “High Risk” patients will be vaccinated first
-  I will post a note here when they are available, we hope by Halloween.

We are able to immunize most of our patients against “seasonal” (regular) flu.  We have been immunizing kids under 3 with flu shots since mid-August.  We are also able to immunize most kids over 2 with the nasal “FluMist,” except kids with asthma; we can give them flu vaccine injections.

Separate vaccinations against both regular flu and Swine Flu are needed for the best protection.  I strongly recommend that all patients receive flu vaccine, both “seasonal” and H1N; parents should also be vaccinated if possible.

Currently, physicians are being asked to “prioritize” testing for the H1N1 flu virus.  In general, we are advised not to run tests unless the patient is sick enough to consider hospitalization.  If we test everyone with fever, the labs will be overwhelmed, which will delay really sick patients from getting test results.  Also, not every case of Swine Flu must be treated with Tamiflu.  There is concern that overuse of antiviral medications like Tamiful may induce the Swine Flu virus to mutate and develop resistance.

Some patients have asked about taking the children out in public.  But I don’t think it’s necessary to “huddle” at home.  Only a general curfew would be effective at curbing transmission; most people who contract flu (H1N1 or regular) will recover anyway; and in the meantime we have to live our lives.  Kids need social stimulation too!  Frequent hand washing (or hand sanitizer) is your best protection.

–  Dr. Epstein