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Information on
Seasonal and H1N1 Flu
LATEST FLU
UPDATES
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TEXAS CHILDREN'S PEDIATRIC
ASSOCIATES UPDATES ON H1N1 VACCINE |
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There are no safety concerns
with the
recall of H1N1 influenza vaccine. All
vaccines successfully passed pre-release testing for purity,
potency and safety. Please remember:
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Only specific deliveries of
both the H1N1 injectable and nasal pediatric vaccines are affected by this recall.
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There is no need to
re-administer shots to those who received vaccine from
these deliveries. The vaccine potency is only slightly
below the recommended range. These vaccine doses are
still expected to be effective in stimulating a
protective response despite this slight reduction in the
concentration of antigen.
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All children under 10 years
old should get the recommended 2 doses of H1N1 vaccine
approximately a month apart for the optimal immune
response. Therefore, children under 10 who have only
received 1 dose of H1N1 vaccine should still receive a
second dose.
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Parents of children who
received vaccine from the recalled deliveries do not
need to take any action, other than to complete the
2-dose immunization series.
If you have any questions,
please contact your
TCPA office.
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Texas Children's Hospital is committed to the
health and safety of our patients, families, visitors and staff and
we are taking all necessary infection control measures.
Visitor
Policy
Effective Monday, Jan. 18, visitation restrictions have been
lifted and visitors of all ages will be allowed on inpatient units
at Texas Children's Hospital. In order to provide a safe environment
for our patients, families and staff, we will continue to actively
screen visitors for influenza-like symptoms at the inpatient unit
level each day.
Ill visitors will be asked to leave the
hospital until fully recovered. If you have fever and 1 or more of the
following symptoms please immediately leave the hospital to
avoid possibly infecting others:
- cough
- sore throat
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
Please do not return until you have been free
of symptoms for 24 hours. If you feel you need medical attention,
please contact your primary care provider.
Testing & Treatment Guidelines
Texas Children's Hospital is following the Texas Department of
State Health Services recommendations regarding influenza testing
and treatment. This will allow us to focus on providing care for
those children who present in our Emergency Center with more severe
health conditions.
Influenza testing will only be conducted for:
- children admitted to the hospital with
respiratory illness, or
- children presenting with influenza-like
illness who have an underlying health condition that makes them
more susceptible to complications of influenza.
Texas Children's will only prescribe
anti-viral medicine (like Tamiflu) to:
- children displaying moderate to severe
influenza symptoms, or
- children with mild influenza symptoms and
underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to
complications associated with influenza
Anti-viral medicine will not be dispensed
from the Texas Children's pharmacy to outpatients.
 
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