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Down Syndrome Research Foundation

1409 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby
British Columbia, Canada V5B 4J8

phone: +1 604 444 3773
fax: +1 604 431 9248

email: info@dsrf.org



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H1N1 (Swine flu) vaccine for people with Down syndrome
Below statement from the UK Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG) on swine flu vaccine:

The UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine is given to all individuals between six months and up to 65 years who are already in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.

In addition they also recommend that GPs should take into account the risk of influenza infection exacerbating any underlying disease that a patient may have.

We have already suggested (see DSMIG Keypoints: Immunisation - www.dsmig.org.uk/library/articles/keypoints-immunisation.html ) that as people with Down syndrome are particularly vulnerable because of cardiac, respiratory, diabetes or immunological problems, they should be considered for the seasonal flu vaccine.  It follows therefore that they should also be considered for the swine flu vaccine.

General Practitioners and other healthcare professionals can consider on an individual basis the clinical needs of their patients with Down syndrome.
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