Flu Shot Clinics on Hold

by Amy Kolb Noyes

The good news is there is no influenza in Vermont, yet. The bad news is
all local flu shot clinics have been put on hold until the state's
supply of flu vaccine can be inventoried and guidelines put in place for
the vaccines to be dispensed.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Cort Lohff, last week, asked all healthcare
providers who had already taken delivery of the flu vaccine to hold off
on administering flu shots "unless there are exceptional circumstances
who are already scheduled to receive the vaccine." Exceptional
circumstances were defined as "Patients six months of age or older with
serious underlying medical conditions such as severe cardiac or
pulmonary disease, severe metabolic disease, those who are
immunosuppressed, etc."
The State of Vermont has estimated there are 85,000 people in the state
who fall into the "high risk" category of people who should receive the
vaccine first. A statewide inventory has turned up 36,000 doses of the
vaccine already delivered, according to Copley Hospital spokesperson
Peter Wright.
Wright also explained the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
been working closely with remaining vaccine manufacturer Aventis
Pasteur. They have identified 22.4 million doses of unshipped vaccine.
The CDC has allocated 14.2 million of those doses to be shipped over the
next six to eight weeks to hospitals, pediatricians, nursing homes and
long-term care providers. Those doses are expressly for high risk patients.
Copley Hospital does have the vaccine on-hand. However, the Copley
Health Systems primary care practices have none of the vaccine,
according to Copley Community Outreach Manager Linda Shaw.
Wright said Copley is awaiting direction from the Vermont Department of
Health before going forward with distributing vaccinations. Wright
emphasized, because the flu virus has not arrived in Vermont, there is
time to get everyone vaccinated who meets the criteria set forth by the
state.
"We will have clinics," said Wright. "We will vaccinate the public once
we know...what we're going to have."
Healthcare providers did not anticipate any shortage of the flu vaccine
this year, until one of the vaccine's two manufacturers was shut down,
cutting supplies virtually in half. As a result, the CDC has issued new
guidelines defining who should, and should not, receive the vaccine this
year.
According to the CDC anyone 65 years or older, regardless of their
health condition, should receive a flu shot. Likewise, all children six
to 23 months of age should receive the vaccine, as should all women who
will be pregnant during the flu season (Typically November through
March). In addition, anyone with a chronic health condition, such as
heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, cancer or HIV/AIDS
should receive the vaccine, as should children aged six months to 18
years who are on chronic aspirin therapy.
The flu shot is also recommended for residents of nursing homes and
long-term care facilities, healthcare workers involved in direct patient
care and those in close contact with babies younger than six months of
age. The CDC stated, "If you're not in one of these groups, you should
not get vaccinated, to allow those at highest risk to get a shot."
The CDC has also provided a list of ways other than vaccination to avoid
contracting the flu. By following these common sense guidelines, you can
help stop the spread of germs and help protect yourself from getting
sick. The guidelines include avoiding close contact with people who are
sick, and staying home if you are already sick; covering your nose and
mouth when coughing or sneezing; frequent hand washing; and avoiding
touching your eyes, nose and mouth. The CDC also recommends good habits
such as getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing
stress, drinking plenty of water and eating good food.