Health officials: Don't forget 2nd dose of H1N1 vaccine

SALT LAKE CITY — If your child had a first dose of the H1N1 vaccine, but didn't get the second dose, you'll be getting a phone call if you live in Salt Lake County.

Officials at the Salt Lake Valley Health Department say more than 16,600 local children are overdue for the second vaccine dose required to protect them from the H1N1 virus, so they began making "reminder calls" this week.

"A lot of parents figure that it has been more than a month since their child's first dose and that it's too late to get the second," explained Dr. Audrey Stevenson, director of Family Health Services. "But that's not the case. These kids can still get the second dose now and become fully protected."

A recent national survey conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows about 80 percent of children who got their first H1N1 shot never came back for the second one. Children under age 10 need two doses of the vaccine, administered at least a month apart, to combat the virus. Officials say test results show the vaccine provides only 25 percent immunity to children under 10 if they only had one dose, but a second dose boosts immunity to 100 percent.

Because there is no way of predicting whether there will be a third outbreak of H1N1 in late spring, Stevenson said preparation is key and by getting the second dose, kids will be protected next fall when a new flu season begins.

The free vaccine is available at any SLVHD health clinic. For more vaccine information visit www.slvhealth.org