H1N1 boosters may not be necessary for children

[bubbaray]

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swine.../en/index.html (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20091030/en/index.html)

Data on immunogenicity in children older than 6 months and younger than 10 years are limited and more studies are needed. Where national authorities have made children a priority for early vaccination, SAGE recommended that priority be given to the administration of one dose of vaccine to as many children as possible.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...b=TopStoriesV2 (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091030/vaccine_flow_091030/20091030?hub=TopStoriesV2)

The committee, known as SAGE (Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization) said a single dose of vaccine is enough to immunize children over 10. It added that while more data on children between 6 months and 10 years are needed, countries should start by giving younger kids at least one dose.

"The SAGE recommendation (for children under 10) could change as more data come in," said WHO vaccine chief Marie-Paule Kieny.
For the time being, she said, "the priority should be to give them at least one dose of vaccine now, and to cover as many of them as possible."

Currently, Canada and many other countries are recommending children under 10 receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine, given at least 21 days apart. That could soon change.

[Indianamom2]

You know, while I hope that turns out to be true, I have to wonder if this is going to be the new(est) recommendation because they know that it is unlikely that many kids will be able to find a second dose of the vaccine.

I know my pedi told me (and I've heard others echo the same) that they would be lucky to get each child even one dose, much less the second.

I guess I'm going to try to find the second dose next month, but if we can't get it, hope that some immunity is better than none.

All the info changes week to week, so who knows? It doesn't leave me feeling very confident as I try to figure out what to do.

Christina

[SnuggleBuggles]

My cynical eye sees that they are running low on the vax and so calling it good enough so everyone can get through one round. In a few months when things even out they'll probably change their tune again. :)

Beth

[bubbaray]

I am particularly interested to see how the Canadian gov't approaches this, b/c they have been saying all along that they will have enough vax for anyone who wants it (though, given the delay expected next week, whether it will come soon enough is another matter altogether). The whole reason for going with an adjuvanted vax was so that there would be plenty of vax for anyone who wanted it....

[Laurel]

The cynic in me thinks that due to vax shortage, they are deciding to let the percentage of kids who would need the booster for full protection go without it. The majority of kids get what they need after one dose, right?

[geochick]

My 5yo got one dose almost 3 weeks ago. He's had H1N1 for the last 5 days.

Wasn't enough for him.

[citymama]

My 5yo got one dose almost 3 weeks ago. He's had H1N1 for the last 5 days.

Wasn't enough for him.

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear it. Is it a mild case? I hope so. Hope he gets better soon.

[Melbel]

DS and DD1, both of whom have asthma, received their H1N1 vax today (shot form but w/ thimerosal b/c thimerosal free version unavailable). Our pedi stated that DS (9 yo turning 10 in January) would not need a booster vax b/c 9 was the new cut off. It definitely seems like they are making things up as they go.

[KathyN115]

My 5yo got one dose almost 3 weeks ago. He's had H1N1 for the last 5 days.

Wasn't enough for him.

Ugh, hope he is feeling better soon!