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    Original Articles By Dr. Lavin Featuring Expert Advice & Information about Pediatric Health Issues that you Care the Most About

    H1N1 Update: Vaccine Safety and Next Shipment

    November 4, 2009

    H1N1 Update: Vaccine Safety and 
    Next Shipment
    The latest news on the H1N1 epidemic in the Cleveland area is
    as follows:

    • Last week was a very intense week of many, many cases
    • At Advanced Pediatrics, so far, no one has had serious H1N1 infections.
    • This week seems to suggest the number of cases of H1N1 infection may be slowing down, for now.


    Vaccine Safety
    All the H1N1 vaccines are just as safe as the regular seasonal
    flu vaccines we have been giving over the last 20-30 years.

    How do we know?

    1. The H1N1 vaccine is made just like the seasonal flu vaccines of the last 20-30 years.
    2. Millions of doses of H1N1 vaccine have been given with no reports of unexpected side effeffects.
    From the perspective of a highly skeptical, science-oriented doctor, the H1N1
    vaccines of 2009 appear to be very safe.
    Next Shipment
    Given that H1N1 illnesses are causing only mild colds and flus in nearly
    everyone infected we do not think of our current H1N1 vaccination
    situation as a shortage.
    It is more accurate to say that Advanced Pediatrics has received its
    first shipment.
    We are highly confident that many, many more doses of H1N1 vaccine
    will be delivered to Advanced Pediatrics.
    This is because the US has shipped about 20 million or so doses,
    and is committed to making and shipping another 160-170 million more.
    That is a huge number of doses. The US typically uses up about 90 million
    seasonal flu doses, so another 160 million should create large surpluses.
    So there is on shortage if you consider the supply anticipated over the next couple
    of months.
    Stay tuned to these postings, we will announce when we get our next
    shipment in the mail here, hopefully soon.
    Do know that if it has not been posted, it has not been shipped to us yet.

    Dr. Arthur Lavin

    *Disclaimer*
    The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person’s particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

    2 Responses to H1N1 Update: Vaccine Safety and Next Shipment

    1. Anonymous November 4, 2009 at 10:29 pm #

      Dr. Lavin,

      I'm wondering why you say that " no reports of unexpected side effects" when the vaccine adverse event reporting system shows over 600. I realize this is a passive system but even the CDC says it only captures 1-10% of actual reactions. http://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/datarequest/D8

      I don't mind the summary that you feel it is safe but I feel like this isn't giving all the available information that enables parents to make an informed decision.

      Reply
    2. Anonymous November 5, 2009 at 11:35 pm #

      If I'm reading this correctly you received the shots and are already out of them. I feel like I am always a day late…

      Your sentence: So there is on shortage if you consider the supply anticipated over the next couple
      of months.

      There is no shortage? Don't panic :-)?

      Reply

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