Flu Shot Availability?

martini-time

I don't have my first doctor's appointment until October 20th. They told me they'd give me the flu shot (for the regular flu) at that time. When I asked about H1N1, they told me they won't have that until November. Does that seem right to you? Seems to me it should be available right now, since it's becoming an issue. I'm a little nervous to wait that long to get the shot. What if I'm exposed to it before then? I've heard it's really hard on pregnant women.

RobynK

They are still testing/analyzing the test results from the H1N1 vaccine so your doc was accurate, it won't be available yet.

cmcmillan

I don't believe it is being released until mid-October.  My doc is giving me the regular flu shot in October and H1N1 when he receives it, which he said should be Oct/Nov.

RobynK

Oh -- and my Mom & sister both work in the medical field.  They said you may have to wait 28 days after your regular flu shot to get the H1N1 shot.  I'm pretty sure you can't get the shots at the same time anyway.

chibipoe

The regular flu shot is available now - our clinic has been giving them since last week. It sounds like a lot of places are delaying their order for the regular flu vax until they get the H1N1, not sure why (my peds office is). The H1N1 vax is supposed to be available the end of October. You can get them at the same time - in fact the CDC considered combining them at one point but didn't do it because they H1N1 wasn't going to be available until late.

martini-time

Thanks ladies! Guess we'll all just have to be extra careful until then. Makes me a little nervous!

Seattle_JiLLn

I dont' think it's still being tested.  I think it's just about ramping up production now.

There's no reason you'd need to space out the regular flu shot and the H1N1 shot though - the regular flu shot combines several strains of flu.  Getting the H1N1 at the same time would be no different.   Now, if you were getting the nasal spray one - which you can't if you're pregnant - then you would have to space them b/c the nasal spray is a live virus. 

Seattle_JiLLn

oh but there has been some back and forth about whether the swine flu shot will be 2 doses or just one.

Kglan

And caring for an infant under 6months puts you in the high risk category so you can get the H1N1 with the first wave.  Is what I was told.