NYS Dept. of Health INFLUENZA VACCINE UPDATE

January 15, 2010
Dear H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Provider,
The purpose of this letter is to:
• Request that you continue to vaccinate patients for H1N1 influenza and   retain your current stocks of vaccine in case there is a disease resurgence;
• Remind you about the need for a second dose of H1N1 vaccine for children less than 10 years of age; and
• Remind you to report all vaccine doses administered or wasted.

Continue to vaccinate for H1N1 influenza and retain current vaccine stocks. January through March is the traditional influenza season. While disease activity is now low, there is a real possibility of a third wave of H1N1 influenza disease, similar to what happened in the 1957-1958 pandemic. As a result, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is encouraging you to:
• Continue to offer and encourage H1N1 influenza vaccination to your patients;
• Retain your current supply of H1N1 influenza vaccine in your office, unless you do not have sufficient space to store it. Contact your county health department if you have vaccine that you are unable to store;
• Call 1-800-KID-SHOT to place a vaccine order. You may check your order status at: http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/health_care_providers/vaccine/ordering_history.htm;
• Instructions on what to do with unused vaccine will be provided in the future.
Reminder on second vaccine doses for children less than 10. Children less than 10 years old are recommended to get a second dose of H1N1 vaccine at least 28 days after the first dose. The state immunization registry, NYSIIS, can be used to check on which children need a second dose and can generate reminder lists and letters. A short on-line tutorial for using the NYSIIS Reminder-Recall function (Module #10) is located at: https://commerce.health.state.ny.us/hpn/bcdc/immunization/instantdemo/tutorials.html
• Either nasal spray (if appropriate) or injectable vaccine may be used for the second dose regardless of the type of vaccine administered for the first dose.
• Pre-filled 0.25 ml syringes for children under age 3 years are no longer available. Please use Sanofi or CSL multi-dose vials for second doses of injectable vaccine.
• NYSDOH has waived the provisions of state law which usually restricts the use of thimerosal-containing influenza vaccines in pregnant women and children under the age of 3 years. There is no scientific evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines. For more information, see: http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/health_care_providers/frequently_asked_questions/vaccine_containing_thimerosal.htm

Reminder to report vaccine doses administered. The federal provider agreement which you signed to receive H1N1 influenza vaccine commits you to report vaccine usage.
• Vaccine administered to persons less than 19 years of age must be reported by state law to the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). For more information, see: http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/immunization/information_system/
• Doses administered to persons age 19 years and older may be reported to NYSIIS with patient consent, or aggregate doses administered must be reported to the NYSDOH telephone or web-based systems. See the following website for additional information: http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/health_care_providers/vaccine/docs/vaccine_reporting_requirements.pdf.

For more information on your order, second dose administration, or reporting, please call 1-800 KID-SHOT.

Thank you for your continued efforts to vaccinate New Yorkers against influenza.

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