FluMist for Knoxville Schools; CDC asks for flu vaccination for children

Clinics – in all elementary and secondary schools in Knox County, as well as many large daycares and private schools – are spread out between October 1 and November 2. Follow-up clinics for children who missed the first school clinic or those who need a second dose of vaccine because it is the first time they get vaccinated will start around the first week of November.

FluMist was last administered in schools in 2015. The following year, the National Centers for Disease Prevention and Prevention recommended that suppliers not use the spray because it did not work. like the vaccine in recent years. the most serious strain circulating this season. In the past two years, the health department has offered vaccines to the school, but participation was much lower – instead of the usual 40% or more who received FluMist, less than a quarter of students there low.

This year, the CDC is again recommending FluMist to people aged 2 to 49 who are not pregnant and whose immune system is not compromised. Data from the 2010-2011 to 2015-2016 influenza seasons showed that the intranasal spray – which uses a live attenuated vaccine or whose infectious part has been altered – was as effective as the vaccine against the H3N2 virus and influenza B viruses in children, but less effective against some H1N1 viruses, which circulated heavily in 2015. The CDC said the data suggest that the new H1N1 virus included in this season's FluMist will be more effective, although no studies has not yet been published. But its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices does not recommend the vaccine.

Influenza season usually increases in October

Knox County's Department of Health director Martha Buchanan said her agency was planning to offer both spraying and gunshots during school clinics, but the logistics were daunting. Instead, any Knox County child 6 months of age or older can be vaccinated free of charge in one of the three health department clinics: the main clinic at 140 Dameron Avenue, the Teague Clinic. 405 Dante Road in North Knoxville or West Clinic at 1028 Old Cedar Bluff Road.

In East Tennessee, the flu season usually starts in October. By Friday afternoon, the East Tennessee Children's Hospital had not reported any flu cases this season; The University of Tennessee Medical Center has reported one. Dr. Eric Penniman, executive medical director of Summit Medical Group, said Summit's doctors had seen "a few cases" of flu, but not enough to announce the start of the flu season.

If your child fears needles, this year's School Vaccination Clinics should be right for you: The Knox County Health Unit is backing the FluMist Intranasal Vaccine. (Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star file photo)

"Evidence shows that immunization of children will protect our community against the flu," providing collective immunity that decreases the likelihood of spread of the flu virus, Buchanan said. "It is a safe and effective vaccine, and we feel comfortable to use it."

However, she added, children will not receive the vaccine unless parents return a signed consent form.

Children can be vaccinated regardless of their insurance

On the consent form, there is a space for insurance information, and if that part is completed, the health department will deposit insurance to help cover the costs of the program, Buchanan said. But parents will never be charged or receive a share, she added, and children who have signed a consent form will receive the FluMist, whether or not they have information about their insurance.

"All vaccine formulations – vaccine or FluMist – will be free for children," said Buchanan. "We do not want cost to be an obstacle."

The CDC recommends vaccination at the end of October, when most regions begin to see an increase in the number of influenza cases. Children 9 and under who have never received the vaccine should take it as soon as possible, he added, as they need a second dose four weeks later.

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An influenza vaccine in Knoxville on Tuesday, September 11, 2018. (Photo: Caitie McMekin / News Sentinel)

This year, FluMist and other quadrivalent vaccines will contain four influenza strains: an influenza A virus related to the H1N1pdm09 virus, an influenza A virus similar to the H3N2 virus, a influenza virus of the Victoria lineage and an influenza virus of the Yamagata lineage. The trivalent vaccine will not contain the second strain of influenza B.

"Every year, the flu shot needs to be proven," Buchanan said. "We will have to see the effectiveness of one or the other vaccine this year.

The CDC put the overall effectiveness of the vaccine last year, a particularly severe season, to 40%, lower than normal. It has been estimated at 65% against H1N1 viruses and 49% against influenza B viruses, but at 25% against H3N2 virus, which has caused the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths this season.

The free flu shot is scheduled for October 13

Penniman said Summit has not ordered large quantities of FluMist for this season, but expects Summit's pediatric practices to offer it.

"We pre-order six months in advance, and the live virus was not recommended," he said. But "if the FluMist allows you to vaccinate your children, you give the FluMist."

However, it is expected that all Summit sites will receive many influenza vaccines – including high-dose injections now available specifically to patients 65 years of age and older who are particularly sensitive to the complications of the flu. influenza.

"I told my parents that they should get it," Penniman said.

Influenza vaccines are free at this 25-year-old event, but all donations are donated to the News Sentinel Bulk Supply Fund, which provides food and gifts to East Tennessee families on vacation. 'winter. Event organizers will ask Medicare for reimbursement of high doses to seniors.

The CDC also offers a flu shot detector to help you search through a ZIP code for a flu vaccine provider.

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