Flu Season 2009 - 2010
Weekly Flu Vaccines Update (Updated November 19)
2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Like all providers in the state, Harvard Vanguard is following the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (MDPH) mandate to administer the limited H1N1 vaccine we have received to the most at risk groups for complications from H1N1. The groups include:
- pregnant women;
- children 6 months to 18 years of age with clinical criteria that places them at high-risk of complications from H1N1 flu;
- parents, guardians, and siblings of infants below 6 months of age;
- and healthcare workers.
As of this date, we have received enough vaccine to immunize all our pregnant female patients – more than half have already received the vaccine and the rest will be contacted by their OB practitioner’s office to invite them to receive the H1N1 vaccine at an upcoming appointment.
During the next 7-10 days, we also expect to have contacted the majority of our 4 -18 year old pediatric patients with clinical criteria for appointments as well.
This week we also started calls to the households of our pediatric patients who are below 6 months of age to invite their parents and siblings in to schedule appointments to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
Please note while we are making good progress on outreach to this subset of our high-risk population, the number of patients we can call for appointments is based on the limited doses and vaccine formulations we receive each week. Certain vaccine formulations are only appropriate for specific ages or high risk groups. This is why are currently arranging for by-appointment-only sessions for H1N1 vaccinations to ensure we have the proper dose and formulation for you when you arrive. While Harvard Vanguard has ordered the necessary amount of H1N1 vaccine for our patients, so far we have only received enough vaccine to vaccinate approximately 7 percent of our total 400,000 patients. As we receive more vaccine, we will reach out to more patients to let them know that the vaccine is available.
We want to thank our patients for their understanding and patience regarding the limited H1N1 vaccine shipments that Massachusetts has received to date. We know this has been frustrating for patients, as it has been for our providers and staff. Please be assured that we are proactively working with the MDPH to expedite the vaccine shipments that we have on order. MDPH Commissioner John Auerbach has written a letter to our patients providing more detail about the vaccine production shortage and how the vaccine is being allocated across the state.
We encourage you to check our website to read weekly updates on Harvard Vanguard's 2009 H1N1 vaccination supply and plans and important information about seasonal flu. You may also call our pre-recorded H1N1 Flu Vaccine Supply Update phone line at 617-421-3000 for current information.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Harvard Vanguard has received approximately 2/3 of our ordered seasonal flu vaccine supply and has administered seasonal flu vaccine to more than 60,000 of our patients. Further shipments of seasonal flu vaccine have been delayed as mandated by the federal government so that vaccine manufacturers can complete production and distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine supply. We are expecting to receive the remaining 1/3 of our seasonal flu vaccine supply at most practice sites beginning in late November. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to check our website or your practice site’s seasonal flu phone line for further updates once more vaccine is received. Please click here for up-to-date seasonal flu vaccine availability by practice location.