By: Adriana Matiz, MD
Learning Objectives:
1) Review the recommendations for influenza vaccination in children
2) To understand the differences between the trivalent inactivate influenza vaccine and the trivalent live-attenuated influenza vaccine
3) To understand the contraindications to influenza vaccination
4) Become familiar with the public health importance of influenza vaccination and the issues around vaccine development
Primary References:
1- Breese-Hall, C. Influenza vaccination in children. UptoDate. 2008
2- American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Policy Statement. Prevention of Influenza: Recommendations for Influenza Immunization of Children, 2007-2008 1-49 http://www.cispimmunize.org/ill/Flu/Influenza%20Recommendations.pdf
Case One:
It is the month of October in your busy practice and you are about to call your next patient, Runny Knowse, an 8 month old girl here for a walk in visit. The nurse’s triage notes that Runny is here for nasal congestion and a cough. As you are about to enter the patient’s room, your head nurse tells you “We’ve got the flu shot”.
1)Does Runny need one? Can you give her one, if so which vaccine would you recommend?
2)How would you write the order for her vaccine and when would you like her to return to your office?
3)As you are about to exit the room, mom says “I have one other question before she gets the vaccine, does it contain thimerasol?”
Case 2
You are about to see Asma Pashent, a 6 year old girl with intermittent asthma who is here for a flu shot. After reviewing her asthma control and her medications with her and her father, you tell them that she will receive her influenza vaccine today. Mr. Pashent asks you that he saw an ad for the flu spray vaccine and that he’d prefer Asma get this since she hates shots.
1)How do you respond?
2)Mr Pashent agrees that Asma can receive the TIV but he wants to know if the spray and the shot are the same or if one is better than the other?
