Seasonal Influenza information

The Staunton Clinic has carried seasonal influenza vaccine for many years. However, this year there has been a shortage of the seasonal influenza. This is reportedly due to the concurrent production and shipping of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. We currently have very adequate supplies of vaccine for all children less than three years of age.

Currently, we have no seasonal influenza for adults or children over 3 years old or older. We will be getting more of this vaccine in the future, but we have no specific time yet.

However, our supply of the seasonal influenza vaccine for children from 6 months to 36 months is very adequate. The reason for this difference is that the two age groups have different doses, and that our vaccine is delivered already in the syringes.

The high risk groups for seasonal influenza include:

1. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
2. Pregnant women
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
   
   1. Health care workers
   2. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
   3. Household contacts and caregivers of children <5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children <6 months of age (these children are at higher risk of flu-related complications