The first doses of vaccine for the H1N1 2009 influenza began arriving in Bergen County this month and with them came a wave of anxiety. Families with young children are once again questioning the safety, necessity or availability of the vaccine. While some parents express concern over the possible long-term side effects that may result from an inoculation against this novel strain of influenza, others fear that there may not be enough of the vaccine to go around.

Take Eileen McElroy of River Edge. She has four children ranging in age from 14 months to 11 years old. Each child has already received a seasonal flu shot but Eileen has been waiting for the injected version of the H1N1 vaccine to arrive at her pediatrician's office.

"They currently have the FloMist version [a nasal spray that is administered to healthy children over the age of 2] but since I have a 14-month-old and a child with asthma and a peanut allergy, I need the shot."

For Eileen there was never a question about whether or not she would vaccinate her kids against H1N1. "Every time you turn on the TV and this subject comes up, you hear about a child dying from the virus. I had some concerns initially but I spoke with my pediatrician who I really trust. He gave me some solid information that helped me decide that inoculation was the way to go."

Eileen isn't alone. According to a recent Associated Press-GfK poll, two-thirds of parents surveyed said they were worried about side-effects from the vaccine but would in fact give permission for their children to be inoculated in school. The Bergen County Department of Health Services (BC-DHS) is encouraging pediatricians to order and administer the H1N1 vaccine to their patients. Many municipalities will be holding clinics as they typically do for seasonal influenza. Residents should call their local health care providers or local boards of health about clinic dates and vaccine availability.

For some families in Bergen County, the risk-benefit ratio weighs heavily against inoculation. "Unless it becomes mandatory for school attendance, my children will not be vaccinated," said Jeanine of Maywood [she requested her last name not be used]. "I worry about the potential side effects. We just don't know enough and I'm not putting my kids at risk."

Be Proactive

Of course, whether or not you decide to get the vaccine for yourself or your family, it is extremely important to follow the recommended flu preventative measures. Dennis McNerney, Bergen County executive, suggests staying home when you are sick. "This is key to help limit the exposure of the seasonal flu or the H1N1 virus to those who are not sick," he said. Other suggestions include:

1. Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, or if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
2. Avoid touching the face, nose and eyes.
3. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and dispose of them properly.
4. Cough into the sleeve or elbow if a tissue is not available, not into the hands or the air.

Stay Informed

The BC-DHS recommends www.bergenhealth.org, www.flu.gov, www.cdc.gov/H1N1 and www.nj.gov/health, as well as local health departments for information about the flu.  Updates will be posted on the Bergen County Health and Information Line at 201-225-7000 if there are significant changes to report.

"Schools have pandemic planning tools, and we are working proactively with the Department of Health Services," said Dr. Aaron R. Graham, executive county superintendent of the Bergen County Department of Education. "Our goal is to keep schools open if possible should an influenza pandemic occur, and there is a county leadership team in place to make those types of determinations." 

The BC-DHS has also increased its influenza surveillance activity and communicates with area hospitals, local municipalities, other health departments and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Because there is so much uncertainty about how this novel virus will behave in the future, they recommend reviewing and updating family emergency plans.

More Information
www.bergenhealth.org
www.flu.gov
www.cdc.gov/H1N1
www.nj.gov/health