Influenza vaccine is again in short supply here and nationwide

A nationwide shortage of influenza vaccine is leading to rationing and severe shortages, according to local health officials.

Eva Wooten, nursing supervisor for the Alleghany County Health Department, said the local department has a limited number of doses of vaccine for high-risk patients. Among those considered high risk are children from 6 months to 23 months old, seniors over age 65, people with serious health conditions that make them more susceptible to flu complications, people in long-term care facilities, children from two years to 18 with chronic health conditions, pregnant women and health care workers.

“We have a very, very limited amount for adults 65 and over and those with high risk conditions under age 65,” said Wooten. However, their are more people needing vaccinations than there are doses to administer to them.

Wooten said that anyone interested in getting a flu shot should call the health department.

“We are working with the state to try to secure more vaccine,” said Wooten. “As soon as we do, we will put in on the radio and in the newspaper, if time permits.” She said radio station WCOK (1060 AM) is the local contact station.

The health department is also trying to receive a limited number of dosages of flu-mist, a nasal spray that works similar to a flu vaccination. However, those doses had not arrived as of Tuesday.

“We are keeping a list of people who call the health department and if we secure more vaccine, we will be calling the people to let them know — provided that they meet the high risk criteria,” Wooten said.

As a good reason for people to call in, Wooten said the numbers on the waiting list give the department a guideline in attempting to order more doses, should they come available through the state immunization department.

Right now, the Center for Disease Control has established guidelines to work directly with state departments of health on the distribution of flu vaccine.

Danny Staley, health director of the Appalachian District Health Department, said, “We plan to vaccinate our high-risk patients according to the CDC recommendations. We are working on locating resources for our other patients at this time and will make that information available as soon as possible.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back