Weekly Flu Report, October 29; plus Advice for Pregnant Women

Weekly Report: Download Weekly Report 10_29_09 (Download PDF)

We have heard from many pregnant women who have been unable to locate the H1N1 vaccine, even though they are a priority group to be vaccinated. DPH understands your frustration and would like to provide some advice on how you can work together with your health care provider to get vaccinated.

There are over 4,000 healthcare providers in the state who have registered to administer the H1N1 vaccine.  Virtually all obstetrical practices who have registered to administer vaccine have received some quantities of vaccine, with much more to come. If your OB/GYN is registered to receive vaccine,  they have probably already received their first shipment and are now waiting to receive their next allocation. It might make sense to inquire about their plan to offer it to patients when more quantities arrive. 

However, not all obstetrical practices in Massachusetts are registered to receive the vaccine. This poses a problem for women who go to these providers and who wish to be vaccinated. 

If your doctor is not currently registered to administer H1N1 vaccine, you might recommend that they do so through the DPH website at the DPH vaccine provider registry . Registration is fast and easy, and continues to be open for new registrants. You may also ask your provider to refer you to a medical associate who is enrolled to administer the vaccine.

Please remember that while we encourage all residents to utilize the comments section on this blog, DPH will no longer be able to respond to specific questions and comments.

Comments

[Stephen Flynn]

"Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them?"

Huh? The author of the comments or the author of the blog? I wonder what we are "not" hearing...

How about discussing practicalities? Such as if you are pregnant and have not received the vaccine, do not go to a hair salon, or other crowded places. Shop at a grocery late at night, keep 4 or preferably 6' away from others that are coughing. When you do shop, use an alcohol hand rub before getting into your car.

And I'd like to hear about such items as Peru's study that about 30% of a studied group showed that they had been infected yet had no symptoms.

Or how about the fact that one can be infected with no fever?

Sorry, but I give the MA Dept of Public Health a "D" in information dissemination. Though at least they are better then RI and NH who get a resounding "F."

But then, my comments won't be allowed....will they?

[Jane Smith]

I am pregnant and was finally able to get the H1N1 vaccine. I was able to get it through the women's health/maternal medicine department of the hospital that my ob is affiliated with. I had been reading these comments for weeks to look for info and I wanted to suggest calling your ob to find out if their affiliated hospital has it. Or if they don't know, calling the hospital yourself to ask if they are offering it to pregnant patients of their affiliated doctors. Worth a try :)

[Cris]

I continue to be frustrated that my OBs office does not have the vaccine (if they had it at all, it was not offered to me, and I am 7 months pregnant). I do not think this is a case of the doctor's office being at fault for not registering to be a vaccine provider, and I think it would be insulting for me to ask if they had registered. The bigger problem lies in the creation of the drug and the distribution to the neediest populations throughout the country. Anyone have suggestions when one might beable to get it other than my OBs office...I'm starting to get very nervous.

[Debbie]

I was surprised as I watched the morning news earlier this week that the Town of Wellsley would be administering H1N1 (nasal) vaccine to all children from the ages of 2 through 19 on Noverdar 7th. I confirmed that by phone today with the Health Dept. in Wellsley. I just heard the Auerback report and this seems to contradict his message.

I was told the children in Plymouth, East Bridgewater etc could not expect the same vaccine any time soon as they were getting it in small increments; certainly not enough to take care of all. I have heard of law firms and stock companies taking care of their employees. So if the vaccine is free and should be distributed evenly to those most needy first...what's up!

[Mom of infant]

I am also a nursing mother of a 5 month old and have similar problems accessing the vaccine as the other mothers posted here. I was unable to get the vaccine from the pediatrician or my OB/GYN as they were reserved for patients and pregnant women respectively. My GP does not have the vaccine and does not know when it will arrive. Where are caregivers supposed to access the vaccine?

[Crystal B. in Leominster, MA]

I am a nursing mother of a 5 month old, and am confused as to why some places in Massachusetts have already given does to my priority group and others not. I know some places in Boston have already distributed H1N1, and Worcester had a clinic Monday November 2nd, but my provider says they have none. More frustrating is that my provider states they don't know when they will receive any vaccination! Why is the distribution not more uniform for the state?

[Jon]

My 3 month pregnant wife just had a visit with her doctor, who told her they DID have the H1N1 vaccine, but was only giving it to the HIGHEST of the HIGH risk (pregnant women with twins, etc). The more I think about it, the more I get upset!

[Rob]

Can you post updates (daily, preferably) on the cumulative number of FluMist and injectable doses that have been shipped to MA?

[polly k. rose]

When will the h1n1 be available to early childhood teachers in the south coast area?

[concerned mom]

I am a nursing mother of a newborn (4 months), therefore I qualify as a part of the priority group. However my doctor does not have any H1N1 shots as I am their only patient that qualifies for the priority group. I can't get the shot from my daughter's pediatrician because I am not a patient there. Where can I go to get the shot?