Important New Advice from the HSE Re: H1N1 Virus/Swine Flu
Important New Advice from the HSE (17th November 2009) on Vaccination Dose for People with Cystic Fibrosis.
There are 2 swine flu vaccines used in Ireland- these are Pandemrix (produced by GSK) and Celvapan (produced by Baxter). Each vaccinated person received a card detailing the vaccine name etc. Please check your card to determine which vaccine you received as the following information is for general guidance only.
- Pandemrix was given in GP surgeries.
- Pandemrix or Celvapan was given in hospitals.
- Celvapan and in a few instances Pandemrix was given in the HSE Mass Vaccination Clinics
The current vaccine proposals are:
1. Re: Pandemrix:
One dose of this vaccine is sufficient.
However those who are under 13 years or who are immunocompromised require a second dose. A minimum interval of 3 weeks is recommended between the two doses.
2. Re: Celvapan:
A second dose is recommended for all people with Cystic Fibrosis. A minimum interval of 3 weeks is recommended between the two doses.
Note: It is considered that PWCF are generally immunocompetent. The exceptions to this include severe malnutrition, post-transplant or taking immunosuppressive treatment for Cystic Fibrosis or for another condition. Examples of immunosuppressive treatments are high dose corticosteroid therapy, infliximab etc.
On the basis of this advice if you need a second dose of the vaccination you should make an appointment with the GP/HSE Mass Vaccination Clinic/Hospital where you where given the first dose. For those attending HSE mass vaccination clinics, booking is on line. Please re-read and observe the cross infection guidance as HSE Mass Vaccination Clinics are now likely to be busier than before. (Please see details below).
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Re: Pandemic Vaccine Arrangements for People with Cystic Fibrosis (PWCF) attending Mass Vaccination Clinics (30/10/09)
Re: Management of PWCF in the Mass Vaccination Clinic;
Background Information:
PWCF have important infection control requirements.
We would strongly urge the following practical steps to Clinic managers to help minimise risk of cross infection when clinical conditions are not ideal (the biggest risk of course is between one CF patient and another). These are
1.People with Cystic Fibrosis (PWCF) waiting vaccination should not be
asked to wait in a public waiting room under any circumstances because of the danger of cross infection
2.People with CF should not be asked to share a waiting area with other people with CF under any circumstances because this poses the greatest threat to health to people with CF in relation to cross infection
Procedures in the MVC:
* Where possible PWCF should be advised to book into first slot of the day.
* When arrive at a clinic PWCF/parent/guardian to advise the clerical officer at reception area re their medical condition.
* Either PWCF waiting vaccination should be brought into a separate waiting room (where possible)
* Or (if separate waiting area not available and the PCWF cannot be vaccinated straight away)
1. They should be asked to wait in a car/other separate area and their telephone number taken
2. When the vaccine can take place, the clinic staff should phone the PWCF/guardian and meet them at entrance to the vaccination clinic
3. The PWCF to be escorted directly to the room to be vaccinated.
* Post vaccination (as each person have to wait for 15mins) the PWCF should not be sitting in the main waiting area but being still under visualisation of staff ? this may be difficult and needs to be adapted to each setting with the main infection control risks kept as the priority
* They should be escorted directly out of the building after the vaccination has taken place.
Previous Links:
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Info
H1NI (Swine Flu) Guidelines for PWCF
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