Kernersville Primary Care is preparing its vaccination plan for the Novel H1N1 virus. The CDC currently anticipates that the H1N1 vaccine will be available in October 2009, although there is some discussion that the vaccine may be released as early as late September. It is expected that there will be an ample supply of the vaccine for anyone who chooses to receive it, but our primary focus will be on our patients that fall into one of the following groups:

(not listed in order of priority)
-pregnant women;
-household contacts of infants under 6 months;
-healthcare and emergency-services workers;
-young people between 6 months and 24 years of age;
-and nonelderly adults with underlying risk conditions, such as diabetes and chronic lung disease.

If you are a patient at Kernervsville Primary Care, fall into one or more of the above groups, and wish to receive the H1N1 vaccine please call our office at 336-993-1618 to schedule an appointment. This vaccine is expected to be a two dose series, with injections given 21 days apart.

The H1N1 vaccine does not cover seasonal influenza and people who receive the H1N1 vaccine still need to have a regular seasonal flu vaccination. Anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or spreading influenza to others may receive the regular seasonal flu vaccine. We strongly recommend that the following groups be vaccinated:

-all children from 6 months through 18 years of age;
-anyone 50 years of age or older;
-women who will be pregnant during influenza season;
-anyone with long-term health problems;
-anyone with a weakened immune system;
-residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities;
-anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for influenza including health care providers, household contacts and caregivers of children less that 5 years of age or people 50 years and older;
-people who provide essential community services;
-people living in dormitories, correctional facilities, or under other crowded conditions;

We are currently receiving our supply of seasonal flu vaccine and expect to begin vaccinating on October 1. If you would like to receive this vaccine you may also call our office at 336-993-1618 to schedule an appointment.

For more information about the H1N1 virus see the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/