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Oct. 23, 2009
Massachusetts, like the rest of the country, continues to be affected by shortages of both the 2009 H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine.
In our state, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is in charge of prioritizing the distribution of all H1N1 vaccine to hospitals, community and neighborhood health centers and physician practices across the state. To date Children's has received only limited quantities of the vaccines. Because of the importance of focusing first on protecting Children's most vulnerable patients, we do not yet have enough vaccine to offer to all Children's patients, physician practices affiliated with Children's, all staff or to members of the public.
We care for many high-risk patients that we want to protect from flu. We are very anxiously awaiting enough vaccine to be able to offer it to all of our patients and all of our employees. For now, we must use our small allotment of H1N1 "flu shots" to immunize staff who care for the sickest patients in the highest risk areas within the hospital. We have been told by MDPH that they are attempting to maximize the allotments sent to Children's, however, until the shortage is alleviated, we must continue to prioritize the distribution of vaccine we receive.
We have received several allotments of the H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine. This form of the vaccine is made with live, weakened virus that does not cause the flu but could pose a risk to children in the hospital with the most compromised immune systems. We will continue to offer the H1N1 mist to patients of our primary care programs (CHPCC, pediatric patients at Martha Eliot Health Center and Adolescent Medicine) as long as we have supplies.
As we wait out the vaccine shortages, please remember that the most important and effective measures you can take to prevent catching or spreading flu are to clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water regularly and often, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm, and stay home if you have flu-like symptoms.
Thank you very much.
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