Date: February 3rd 2010

We are sending this email because it appears that many of our families think that H1N1 flu is no longer an issue. At Mesquite Pediatrics, we are still recommending and providing the vaccine because the virus is still circulating. We have injectable flu vaccine for children 6 months of age and older and the nasal flu vaccine for children 2 years of age and older. The following is an update on the H1N1 situation and the rationale for our continuing recommendation to get the vaccine. The H1N1 virus is still the predominant strain of influenza circulating in the community. For the latest week reported by the CDC (the week ending January 23rd) there have been 5 pediatric deaths due to influenza. To date, about 1 in 4 people in the U.S. have become sick with the virus and about 1 in 4 have been given the vaccine. This means that about half of the U.S. population could still get this virus. In previous pandemics, there has been a wave of the flu in February and/or March, during the usual flu season. In the 1957-58 pandemic, the pattern of the outbreak was very similar to the pattern that H1N1 has shown this year. It appeared in the late spring, hung around over the summer, created a big outbreak in the fall, and almost seemed to disappear toward the end of the year. Everyone thought the outbreak was over. Then in February and March they experienced the biggest outbreak yet, with the highest number of deaths. Many experts fear this could happen again, though there is no way to be sure at this time. Also in previous pandemics, the new virus has basically replaced the seasonal strains and has then become the strain that circulates again every flu season. So we expect H1N1 to be around for at least the next several years and that it may actually be the only one. The more seasons that a person gets the vaccine, the more effective the vaccine will be and the less likely that person will get sick. So getting the vaccine for your children every year starting now will make it less likely that they will get this flu in the next few years. So, we are still recommending this vaccine to all of our patients. We have appointments available every week, so call us if you would like to get your child in to receive the vaccine. Remember, if your child is under 10 years of age, 2 doses will be needed about 4 weeks apart to get reliable immunity. Thank you, Mesquite Pediatrics ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Mesquite Pediatrics Flu Mailing List using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: <http://www.mesquitepediatrics.com/mailinglists/mail.cgi/u/flu/> If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: <http://www.mesquitepediatrics.com/mailinglists/mail.cgi/list/flu> If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: <mailto:webmaster@mesquitepediatrics.com> The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: Mesquite Pediatrics, 2350 N. Kibler Pl., Suite 1, Tucson, AZ 85712 Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail http://www.mesquitepediatrics.com/mailinglists/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/