KHEIR Community Clinic Offers Rare Preservative-Free
Single Dose Shots for Expectant Mothers

(LOS ANGELES, CA - January 4, 2010) - To prevent a third wave of the H1N1 flu in January, federal health officials are urging individuals to get vaccinated now. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), getting the flu shot is the single best way to protect against the flu, especially pregnant woman as the H1N1 flu shot can protect both mother and child.

Currently, the KHEIR Community Clinic has the rare preservative-free single dose vaccine shots preferred for pregnant woman. Please know the H1N1 flu vaccine is also available to everyone in the community now. No appointments necessary. For more information, please call 213-637-1070.

H1N1 Clinic Hours:
Monday	2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday	2:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday	8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the 2009 H1N1 flu shot safe for pregnant women?

The seasonal flu shot has been given to millions of pregnant women over many years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies. The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is being made in the same way and at the same places where the seasonal flu vaccine is made.

Are there flu vaccines that pregnant women should not get?

Pregnant women should get the "flu shot"-a vaccine made with killed flu virus. This one is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The other type of flu vaccine-a nasal spray-is not approved for pregnant women. This vaccine is made with live, weakened flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine is safe for women after they have delivered, even if they are nursing.

Does the 2009 H1N1 flu shot have mercury in it?

There is no evidence that thimerosal (a mercury preservative in vaccine that comes in multi-dose vials) is harmful to a pregnant woman or a fetus. However, because some women are concerned about thimerosal during pregnancy, vaccine companies are making preservative-free seasonal flu vaccine and 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine in single-dose syringes for pregnant women and small children. CDC advises pregnant women to get flu shots either with or without thimerosal.

Can the 2009 H1N1 flu shot be given at any time during pregnancy?

Both seasonal flu shots and 2009 H1N1 flu shots are recommended for pregnant women at any time during pregnancy.

Can a breastfeeding mother receive the flu shot or the nasal spray?

Yes. Both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu vaccines should be given to breastfeeding mothers and breastfeeding women can receive either the shot or the nasal spray form of the vaccine. Breastfeeding is fully compatible with flu vaccination, and preventing the flu in mothers can reduce the chance that the infant will get the flu.

Also, by breastfeeding, mothers can pass on to the infant the antibodies that their bodies make in response to the flu shots, which can reduce the infant's chances of getting sick with the flu. This is especially important for infants less than 6 months old, who have no other way of receiving vaccine antibodies, since they are too young to be vaccinated.

Schedule health services for all age groups at the KHEIR-S. Mark Taper Foundation Community Clinic at 213-637-1070.

About KHEIR
KHEIR Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency founded in 1986, offers culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and social services to the low income, limited-English speaking Korean and Latino residents of Southern California. In addition to operating the only full-time community clinic with majority Korean patient base in the United States to offer assistance in English, Spanish and Korean, the organization maintains a Social Services Department and two Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) centers that render more than 80,000 service visits and 100,000 hot meals on an annual basis. http://www.lakheir.org