We will be delivering H1N1 flu vaccine to eligible patients once we get the vaccine this fall.  First on the list are children, young adults, pregnant women, and older individuals with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, heart disease, and the like.   We have heard the availability will be middle of October. 

This vaccine does not replace the seasonal flu shots.  You will still need to get those.  We will start getting them as soon as the vaccine comes which will be late September. 

If you're over 50 and have not had a pneumonia shot we can give you that at the same time.  Pneumonia shots are given every six to nine years.

If you were alive in 1957, the H1N1 flu will be pretty mild for you.  The mortality rate of H1N1 is less than the mortality rate of seasonal flu.  The best defense is to avoid infected individuals.  If you're sick, GO HOME.    If you find yourself getting sick and have to sneeze, sneeze into your elbow, not into your hand.  Everyone must be washing their hands regularly.  The more people around you in the workplace, the more likely you are to get the flu.  Wearing a mask does not protect you.  Avoid sick people and wash your hands regularly.

In the office, we ask every patient to wash their hands with alcohol cleaner when they check-in.  We have soap and water as well as alcohol based handwashing equipment in each exam room and use them regularly.