When do you get the second shot for kids 2-6?

[Anonymous]

Does it have to be exactly one month from the first shot? Could it be a few days before exactly one month or if it is a few weeks after the first is it less effective? I assume it is the same shot and would not matter of one had thimersol and the other did not.

[Anonymous]

As I recall, the CDC's web site says 28 days after the first, but that if it is only 21 days, that is still valid. I'm sure a few days after 28 wouldn't matter.

[Anonymous]

THREE TO FOUR WEEKS.

[Anonymous]

28 days for flumist. Less than 28 days is not valid for flumist per cdc faqs for practitioners.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the CDC recommends 28 days for either the shot or the mist, but anything more than 21 days is acceptable for the shot.


Re FluMist:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspray_qa.htm

How many doses of nasal spray vaccine are needed?

In adults, only one dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine, is needed for protection.

All children 2 through 9 years of age getting a 2009 H1N1 vaccine will need two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine (either the 2009 H1N1 flu shot or the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine), The first dose should being given as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose of vaccine when they need two doses may have reduced or no protection. Be sure to follow up to get your child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.

If a child under the age of 9 years is getting seasonal influenza vaccine for the first time and requires 2 doses, does the same type of vaccine have to be used for both doses?

Ideally the same type of vaccine should be used for both doses as we know a series of two doses of the same type of vaccine has worked in clinical trials. No information is available about how effective a series of two different vaccines might be. If different types of vaccine are used for the first and second doses, however, there is no need to revaccinate a child. The doses should be separated by at least one month (28 days).

Re the flu SHOT:

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/top10_faq.htm

2. Definition of 1 Month Interval
The interval between doses stated in the 2009 H1N1 vaccine prescribing information is "approximately 1 month". What does "approximately 1 month" mean?
CDC recommends that the two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccines be separated by 28 days (4 weeks).

3. Acceptable Interval for 2009 H1N1 Inactivated Vaccines
The influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent inactivated vaccine trials that are currently underway have often used a 21 day (3 week) interval between doses. Is a 21 day interval acceptable?
CDC recommends that the two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccines be separated by 28 or more days (4 weeks). However, trials of the inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccines have often used a 21 day interval. Administering the two doses of a 2009 H1N1 inactivated vaccine at least 21 days apart is safe. Therefore, if the second dose of an inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine is separated from the first dose by at least 21 days, the second dose can be considered valid. If the interval separating the doses is less than 21 days, the second dose should be repeated 28 or more days after the first dose (21 days acceptable). Trials of 2009 H1N1 live attenuated vaccines have used a 28 day interval between doses and therefore 28 days is the appropriate valid interval. Additional information about intervals for both types of 2009 H1N1 vaccines (inactivated and live attenuated) from the ongoing clinical trials will be considered when available.