Dallas Allergy

Everyone should get H1N1 vaccine. Concerns that have been raised in the media about “newness of the vaccine” and other safety concerns are misplaced and sometimes just wrong. 

The following information should help you make decisions about H1N1 vaccine for your child:

• Children under age 10 need two doses regardless of which vaccine is used.
• If the first dose of H1N1 was Flumist, the second dose should be Flumist.
• If the first dose of H1N1 was injected vaccine, the second dose should be injected.
• If your child has had a dose of Seasonal Flu Flumist, there needs to be a four week separation before H1N1 Flumist can be given.
• Injected H1N1 vaccine can be given at any time before or after Seasonal Flu vaccine (either Flumist or injected).
• There are no data comparing the effectiveness of H1N1 Flumist vs injected vaccine.
• There is data on Seasonal Flu vaccine indicating that Flumist is superior for children. The data in adults is more conflicting.
• At this time, if Flumist H1N1 is better, the difference is small.