Bite the flu bug


		Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004

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Hospitals, other priority agencies will get first doses of undelivered flu vaccines

Bite the flu bug

Although the flu vaccine shortage means many will go without that protection, there are other precautions that can be taken to prevent the spread of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend avoiding close contact with people who are sick, keeping your distance from others if you’re sick, staying home from work, school and errands when possible while you’re sick, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and cleaning your hands often.

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The Centers for Disease Control have teamed up with flu vaccine manufacturer Aventis Pasteur to distribute the remaining 14.2 million doses of the vaccine across the nation.

Over the next six to eight weeks, the vaccine will be given directly to high-priority providers including hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and private providers who care for young children.

Because of a shortage due to problems with another manufacturer, flu vaccine is in short supply this year, and officials at public health clinics are limiting the vaccinations to those who could suffer the most if they contract the flu. Those groups include:

• Children ages 6-23 months.

• Adults ages 65 and over.

• Persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions.

• All women who will be pregnant during flu season.

• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

• Children on chronic aspirin therapy.

• Health care workers with direct patient care.

• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts.

The current plan to distribute the medicine to high-priority providers helps insure the vaccine gets to those who need it most, said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding.

“This is a troubling, frustrating situation for all of us and we need for all Americans to pull together in the weeks to come to meet this challenge head on,” she said. “This plan is the result of unprecedented collaboration between CDC, Aventis Pasteur and state and local health departments across the country. And we must not forget the other public health heroes on the front lines in grocery stores, pharmacies and health clinics working to prioritize vaccine.”

After the high-priority shipment, the remaining 8.2 million doses will be distributed to other high-need areas.

Aventis Pasteur U.S. President Damian Braga said the goal has been to direct the remaining doses as quickly as possible to areas where large numbers of at-risk individuals are in need.

“It is a huge logistical feat and we are proud to have contributed our knowledge and expertise to the plan,” Braga said.