Immunization Program

September 28, 2006
To: SSV Provider
Re: Pediatric Influenza Vaccine Release: 2006 - 2007 Flu Season

Our influenza vaccine orders have started to arrive, however they are in small quantities at this time. We are waiting on a few more deliveries so that we may begin filling the needs of Rhode Island providers equitably.

The Influenza Vaccine Survey provided us with a good estimate of what your needs would be for the entire influenza season. However, concerns in the past have been that too much influenza vaccine was being delivered to the practices at one time. In order to avoid this issue, we request that providers submitting a monthly vaccine order include the amount of influenza vaccine needed for 30-60 days on their order form, as well as each subsequent monthly order from this point on. We will make every effort to include flu vaccine with your order, but please be aware that it may need to be picked up separately (dependent on our in-house inventory at the time of your order). Orders for FluMist will continue to be delivered directly from the manufacturer to your practice.

Providers who have already submitted a September vaccine order may fax over a specific request for influenza vaccine only. We will contact you when the order is available for pick up.

Due to a decrease in our CDC allotment of childhood injectable influenza vaccine, we strongly recommend the use of FluMist (live intranasal vaccine) for healthy children 5-18 years of age.

Please also remember to consider the following when ordering your vaccine:

•  The new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations include expansion of annual routine vaccination to include children 24-59 months of age;

•  Children younger than 9 years of age who will be receiving influenza vaccine for the first time need two doses.

For more information about influenza vaccine recommendations see www.cdc.gov/flu/ .

Priority groups (high-risk) for influenza vaccination include:

• Children ages 6-59 months
• Children ages 6 months-18 years with underlying chronic medical conditions (this includes heart and lung disease, asthma, and diabetes)
• Children ages 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
• Adolescent females who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers (under age 19) of children 6 months and younger