Many of the 44 practices that make up
Texas Children’s
Pediatric Associates (TCPA) around the Houston area have
received a limited quantity of the nasal vaccine for H1NI (swine)
influenza. Patients who meet the distribution criteria and who are
already visiting the practices for regularly scheduled appointments
have been offered the vaccine.
The supplies of vaccine are being distributed
in the accordance with CDC and Texas Department of State Health
Services guidelines, as outlined below.
Distribution Specifics
-
Eligible healthcare workers within
TCPA
-
2-to-4-year olds who are healthy, without
respiratory symptoms or underlying medical conditions, and who
are already scheduled at TCPA practices for appointments
-
Additional patients who are in the
qualifying 2-to-3 year old distribution group will receive calls
from TCPA to schedule their vaccinations while supplies last
-
As more vaccine becomes available, TCPA
practices will call additional patients, following the CDC and
state recommended distribution guidelines, to schedule their
immunizations
Limited Doses
Because limited doses are available relative to the patient
population, TCPA practices expect to deplete these first supplies of
vaccine in a short time. Doses will continue to arrive, but the
delivery schedule is uncertain at this time. TCPA practices will
call all eligible patients to schedule the nasal vaccine.
If you are
a parent of a Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates patient, your
child’s pediatrician practice will contact you to schedule
appointments as vaccine becomes available. TCPA families are asked
not to call or visit a TCPA practice or pediatrician seeking H1N1
vaccine. Remember, shipments are limited and are arriving in stages,
so everyone is asked to be patient.
