Flu Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual seasonal flu vaccination to prevent getting or spreading the flu. The strains that are included in the seasonal flu vaccines change every year, so you must be vaccinated against seasonal flu every year.   In April 2009, a new flu virus, H1N1,  appeared.  H1N1, also called swine flu, has spread internationally. A vaccine for H1N1 flu is expected to be available in October and is intended to be used alongside the seasonal flu vaccine. It will not replace the seasonal flu vaccine.

H1N1 School Vaccination

School-based H1N1 vaccination clinics started in the first week of November and are currently ongoing. Parents of school-aged children should download the H1N1 Vaccine Information Statement (English | Spanish | Portuguese), vaccine consent form (English | Spanish | Portuguese), and accompanying letter (English | Spanish | Portuguese). Children cannot receive this free vaccination in a school without a signed and dated consent form. For school-aged children who do not get this vaccination in school, it will not likely be available in physicians’ offices or in other clinics until late December. (school vaccination clinic schedule)

A separate clinic has been scheduled for children who reside in Rhode Island but who attend out of state schools. Pre-registration is required for this clinic. (more)

H1N1 Vaccination for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women and post-partum women up to six months post-partum may call their health providers to schedule appointments to receive the H1N1 vaccine. (more)

The H1N1 vaccine is just as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine. It is made exactly the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine, which pregnant women have been safely receiving for years. (more)

H1N1 Flu Vaccination

The Department of Health started receiving shipments of H1N1 vaccine in October and will continue receiving shipments throughout this flu season. CDC indicates that Rhode Island is estimated to receive more than 600,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine by the end of the flu season. Our goal is to vaccinate children and pregnant women first because they are two of the most vulnerable populations. HEALTH has planned for different populations to receive H1N1 vaccinations in specific locations so that the most people can be vaccinated in the least amount of time. Based on the type and timing of vaccine deliveries from the federal government, the information below may change.

Population	Vaccination Location	Type of Vaccine Given	Estimated Number of Rhode Islanders	Estimated Starting Date for Vaccination
Pregnant women	Birthing hospitals, OB/GYNs, midwives	Injectable	10,000	Mid-October
Children (6 months through 5 years)*	Pediatricians, family practitioners	Intranasal (healthy, 2-5 years); injectable for others	54,000	Mid-October
School-age children (K-12; public, private, parochial and home schooled)*	School-based clinics	Injectable	150,000	Early November
Young adults (age 19 through 24)	University / college-based clinics, public clinics	Injectable or intranasal	60,000	Early December
Household contacts / caregivers of infants younger than 6 months	Prenatal care provider offices, Provider offices, public clinics	Injectable	Included in other population estimates	Mid-November (post-partum women up to 6 months) Early December (all others)
Adults (age 25 through 64) with underlying medical conditions	Provider offices, public clinics	Injectable	142,000	Early December
Healthcare workers and first responders with direct patient care	Healthcare Service Region (HSR) hospital-run clinics	Injectable	40,000	Early December
Seniors (age 65+)	Public clinics	Injectable	149,000	Early January
Healthy adults (age 25 through 64)	Public clinics	Injectable or intranasal	425,000	Mid-January

* Children younger than ten years of age will need two doses of vaccine, at least 28 days apart.

(more)

Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Who should get immunized

Anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting seasonal flu. It is recommended particularly for:

• Children and teens 6 months to 19 years old
• Pregnant women
• People age 50 or older
• Nursing or group home residents
• Persons with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, anemia, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems
• People who live with or care for those at high risk of flu-related complications

(more)

When to get immunized

Seasonal flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the flu season. While flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, seasonal flu activity usually peaks in the winter.

Where to get immunized

Adults:  at your doctor’s office, public flu clinics, adult immunization clinics, or at your workplace.
Children:  at their pediatricians’ offices.
Homebound Individuals: call the Flu Hotline at 1-800-555-7858 to make arrangements.

Cost

Cost of the vaccine varies, depending on where you are vaccinated and what type of insurance plan you have. Most health insurers will cover the cost of the vaccine if you receive it from your primary care provider. Check with your insurance plan or healthcare provider for more information.

What to expect after you get immunized

Most people do not experience serious side effects after receiving flu vaccines.  Side effects from the flu shot may include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, low fever, or aches for a day or two. For individuals vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist), side effects may also include runny nose, wheezing, headache, and vomiting.  You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine.