In an effort to keep our patients and readers up to date with the latest H1N1 news, we’ve created a special page on our blog for all H1N1 related information.
This will be the place you can visit to receive the latest Innovis H1N1 related information.
Here is the latest information as of February 8, 2010:
Seasonal Flu Injectible and H1N1 Injectible vaccination appointments are being scheduled for patients ages 6 months through adult.
Seasonal & H1N1 Nasal Flu Mist is unavailable for children ages 2 and older.
Please contact your primary care provider to schedule either a seasonal flu and/or an H1N1 vaccination appointment.
For more information, please call the ND Flu Hotline at 1-866-207-2880 or the MN Flu Hotline at 1-866-259-4665.
We will leave the comments section open for you to ask questions. We will do our best to respond in a timely manner.
For more up-to-date H1N1 Flu information, visit the CDC’s 2009 H1N1 Flu page.
one of my LPNs got a h1n1 for her non high risk child last week, as well as the seasonal shot. this has NOT “sat” well with other people who can’t get their kids vaccinated. my granddaughter has severe febrile seizures. just wondering how a healthy kid got it and others are being told no. she has told everyone at villa maria HER child has been vaccinated. just curious.
barb troy rn
By: barb troy on October 24, 2009
at 11:57 pm
Barb,
Innovis Health has only been receiving small quantities of the vaccine and depending on which type, are distributing to priority groups based on those we see as highest risk (i.e. pregnant women, young children). Our Pediatric Department has received a very small amount of the injectible H1N1 vaccine in which it was reserved for and then given to children who are considered at highest-risk within our clinic. The department also had a slightly larger number of vaccine available in the mist version (mist is only to be given to patients who have no underlying conditions), which was distributed on a first come, first serve basis, but are still given to a priority group, that being children. As soon as the vaccine is made more available, we will be sure to communicate its availability to the public as soon as possible.
Thanks for your question.
By: InnovisHealth on October 26, 2009
at 9:12 pm
How will people be notified or know when the H1N1 vaccine is available? My husband is in hight risk medical – kidney disease, diabetes, ankylosing spondylitis & heart problems.
thanks
By: Julie Bjorklund on October 26, 2009
at 7:28 pm
Julie,
The H1N1 vaccination distribution will be posted as soon as it’s available for our patients. We will inform patients via our switchboard, website, blog and press release, along with the possibility of patient letters to those who are considered high-risk.
Thanks for the question, and for reading our blog.
By: InnovisHealth on October 26, 2009
at 9:09 pm
What happened to the pregnant patients as they are listed in the high priority group. After pregnant women, the CDC recommends the following four at-risk groups be vaccinated first:
People in contact with children younger than 6 months of age, including parents, siblings and daycare providers
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
People 6 months to 24 years of age
People age 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complications
By: Kathy on October 27, 2009
at 12:49 pm
Kathy,
Public health officials and the state assume that pregnant individuals are currently being offered the vaccine by their provider as the doses are coming in, and since most have prenatal appointments about every month, they should be getting it soon; thus, they are focusing on another priority group for the public vaccinations. Also, the majority of the vaccine available is the mist version, which is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Thanks for your question.
By: InnovisHealth on October 27, 2009
at 9:32 pm
ok, I just had an appt on the 21 of Oct, they don’t have any H1N1. So now you are saying I’m going to have to wait until my next appt in Nov? What if they don’t have any at that time either. I could be in the hospital or even worse by then, cause I and or other pregnant women didn’t get the H1N1 shot…
By: Kathy on October 28, 2009
at 3:57 pm
Kathy,
We are working at contacting our pregnant patients as soon as vaccine comes in either via a letter, holding a blitz or by telephone. We cannot guarantee shipment dates and availability at this time, because we only find out the day it is delivered to us. We truly hope to get a larger amount of vaccinations (both the injectible and mist versions) soon so that we can continue to administer the vaccine to our priority groups (1st – pregnant patients, 2-healthcare workers, & 3-children).
Thanks for your question and we hope to have more of an answer for you as soon as we are notified.
By: InnovisHealth on October 30, 2009
at 3:14 pm
I am a pregnant patient at one seeing a family practice doctor at a satelite clinic. At my last 2 appointments I have asked about either flu shot but have been told that they do not have any available. Has the shot been sent to locations other than the main clinic.
By: Melissa on October 28, 2009
at 1:27 am
Melissa,
Thank you for your concern.
As we receive doses of the vaccination, they have been evenly distributed to all of our clinics throughout the system to providers who may give the vaccine to our patients listed in the priority groups (i.e. OB/GYN, Family Medicine, Pediatrics). We will continue to keep you notified of availability via our website, blog and flu shot information line, 364-3215.
By: InnovisHealth on October 28, 2009
at 2:42 pm
I have an 8 month old daughter and I would, at least, like to get her the standard flu shot. I have called the West Fargo or West Acres Clinic every week for the last month and I am told each time that they hope to have those shots next week.
Ideally, I would obviously like to get her, along with my husband and I, vaccinated as soon as possible. When can we expect to be able to get the annual flu shot?
Thanks.
By: Lisa on October 28, 2009
at 3:25 am
Lisa,
It has been quite a guessing game for us as well in regards to when shipments of both seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations will be received. Our pharmacy department continues to receive estimated dates of shipments that come and go….as soon as vaccine is received into the department, it is recorded and re-distributed throughout our system. We will continue to provide updates as soon as possible and we thank you for your patience.
By: InnovisHealth on October 28, 2009
at 2:44 pm
I am 5 months pregnant and go to the Detroit Lakes Innovis Clinic for my prenatal care. Will we be notified as well when the injectable H1N1 vaccine becomes available? If not, can I get on a list to be notified when it is available in Fargo?
Thanks.
By: Suzanne on October 29, 2009
at 1:42 pm
Suzanne,
St. Mary’s Innovis Health receives their vaccination distributions from a different pharmacy and state agency; unfortunately, we do not currently supply that facility with vaccines that we receive from the state and have been informed by their communications department that the vaccinations they have received have been very limited in both versions.
We suggest that you follow-up directly with your provider to find out how priority group patients will be notified once the vaccine has been made available or if they are creating a list for high-risk patients (which you would be listed on as an OB patient). St. Mary’s Innovis Health will also be sure to post a community announcement once the availability increases for those in the priority categories.
Thank you!
By: InnovisHealth on October 30, 2009
at 3:58 pm
My husband has Type 1 diabetes. When will the vaccine be available for Diabetics? I am very concerned. Thanks.
By: Patricia on October 30, 2009
at 1:57 am
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for your question and concern. As previously stated, as soon as we receive H1N1 vaccines (which have been very limited in both the injectible and mist versions) we are administering them to those listed in the priority groups with #1 priority being pregnant individuals(pregnant individuals can only receive the injectible version and not the mist); once that population has been taken care of, we will move on to the following priorities, as stated by the CDC:
2 – Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel (we have already been administering any flu mist versions we receive to eligible staff; eligible meaning no underlying health conditions or contraindications)
3 – People 6 months to 24 years of age (we have already been administering any flu mist versions we receive to eligible patients)
4 – People in contact with children younger than 6 months of age, including parents, siblings and daycare providers
5 – People age 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complications
We will communicate the availability to others in the priority groups listed above as soon as it is available…thanks again.
By: InnovisHealth on October 30, 2009
at 3:52 pm
Thank you for the very descriptive response. This is a stressful issue for many people and I will make sure my husband keeps checking with his Physician. The H1N1 blitzes sponsored by the Cass and Clay County Public Health facilities has mostly had the FluMist and not the shot. Unfortunately because of the makeup of the FluMist, there are limitations on whom can receive it. Thanks for maintaining this website so people can stay informed.
By: Patricia on November 3, 2009
at 2:28 am
Well you got a large amount of Vaccines and they were given away to eveyone else on Sat… according to the paper, what happen to checking thier information, and if they lived in Cass County… I’ll I can say is whatever!!!!!
By: Kathy on November 2, 2009
at 2:29 pm
Kathy,
The Public Blitz that was held on Saturday was arranged and provided by Cass County Public Health, not Innovis Health. We apologize if you had been misinformed, but this event was not one that we, Innovis Health, held or participated in.
Thank you.
By: InnovisHealth on November 2, 2009
at 4:29 pm
Will I be able to get my child who is younger than 3 vaccinated soon at the innovis clinic?
I”m curious as to why the appointments on the 17th are for 3 years of age and older only?
By: Amanda on November 12, 2009
at 6:51 pm
Amanda,
Currently, the only H1N1 vaccines available for pediatric patients are the type that have been tested/approved for 3 years of age and older. We hope that within the next few weeks, the supply types coming in will increase so that we will be able to schedule all pediatric patients for vaccination.
By: InnovisHealth on November 12, 2009
at 9:49 pm
If a child has febrile convulsions can she receive intranasal H1N1 vaccine or should she receive the inactivated H1N1 vaccine
By: Mary on November 14, 2009
at 8:00 pm
A child may recieve H1N1 nasal mist if they have febrile seizures. Febrile seizures are not a contraindication for the live vaccine. If she has other chronic medical conditions or certain allergies please check with your primary care provider to discuss the best route for vaccination. The minimum age for the nasal mist is 2 years of age. Thank you for the inquiry and stay healthy!
By: Nita on November 16, 2009
at 4:18 pm
I ALREADY GAVE MY KIDS THE H1N1 FLUMIST.SHOULD I AGAIN GIVE THEM THE H1N1 FLU SHOT AT SCHOOL ..?
By: priya on November 23, 2009
at 5:03 am
Priya,
Any child 9 yrs of age and under requires a second booster shot (whether injectible or mist version) to get the full effect of the medication.
By: InnovisHealth on November 23, 2009
at 5:08 pm
Both of my children (age 16 months and 4 years) have had their first H1N1 shot. They are in need of the 2nd but I see we cannot schedule an appointment for this but will be given, if available, at their next scheduled appointment. My daughter will not need to be seen for 3 more months and my son for about 8 months. How should I procede to get them their second booster.
By: Kirsten Schaff on November 30, 2009
at 8:23 pm
Kirsten,
We are so limited in our supplies that as soon as we get a small amount available, we are administering them to our pediatric patients so that they can at minimum get the initial injection at this time.
Once the availability increases, we will open up a day to scheduling for the 2nd booster dose. We encourage you to continue to monitor our website and blog for a posting, check in on our flu information line by calling 701-364-3215, or by checking in with the local public health departments as to when they may be offering another blitz. Thanks for the question.
By: InnovisHealth on November 30, 2009
at 10:52 pm
Is there anyway you can update your blog with the most current information. As of today (Dec 2) receptionists are telling me they don’t have doses available for pediatric patients. Yet this blog still indicates there are.
By: Jen Anderson on December 2, 2009
at 7:10 pm
Jen,
The blog stated that the Pediatric Department would be offering the initial H1N1 dose, as well as dose #2 for those who received their H1N1 vaccine 28 days (or more) prior to November 25th, if the vaccine was available. We do try to update the blog as soon as we have new information. Due to the size of our network, and the limited vaccine supplies, we aren’t always able to report real-time information when the doses run out.
We have added an update today, so we encourage you to continue to monitor our website and blog for a posting. Additionally, you can check our flu information line by calling 701-364-3215, or by checking in with the local public health departments as to when they may be offering another blitz. Thanks for the question!
By: InnovisHealth on December 3, 2009
at 9:52 pm
I had my 4 year old vaccinated last month for H1N1 with the nasal mist. He is due for his booster this week and now all that is available are the injections. Is it ok to have the booster be in the alternate form that the initial vaccination was? Is it just as effective? Thanks.
By: Katie on December 2, 2009
at 11:49 pm
Katie,
As long as there is at least 28 days in between the vaccinations (whether initial was mist or injectible), a child over 2 years of age can get either the flumist or the injectible version as their booster. Thank you for your inquiry!
By: InnovisHealth on December 3, 2009
at 9:54 pm