NYDOH SWINE FLU (H1N1) UPDATE

It seems as though the NY State Department of Health will not be able to release the preservative free H1N1 vaccine in time to protect most children from the current outbreak of the H1N1 (swine) flu. The NY State Health Commissioner has issued the following statement regarding the available thimerosal-containing vaccine:

NY State Health Department new recommendations for high risk populations

To sum this document up: the Department of Health is now recommending the use of the available H1N1 thimerosal containing vaccine for the immunization of high risk groups such as pregnant women and children under the age of 5 years as the likelihood of severe disease resulting from H1N1 infection outweighs any potential risk from the minute amount of thimerosal preservative in the vaccine.

Beach Pediatrics will now offer the thimerosal containing vaccine to children from 6 months to 5 years of age to protect them from the current epidemic. Appointments may be scheduled at any time.