WILLIAMSON COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Flu Vaccine Shortage-Priority Groups Should Get Shots

 

            October 7, 2004 (Georgetown, TX) – The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) is recommending that this year’s limited supply of flu vaccine be used on a priority basis to make sure those at high risk of flu complications receive the vaccine.  WCCHD issued this recommendation that supports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) recommendations.  The full CDC recommendations can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm

The CDC recommendations were made after Chiron Corporation announced on October 5, 2004, that the British government is preventing the company from distributing its flu vaccine.  Chiron made approximately 46 to 48 million doses of flu vaccine or roughly half of the U.S. supply.  Because of the time-consuming process necessary to manufacture flu vaccine, no vaccine can be manufactured in time to replace the Chiron supply for this flu season. 

Priority Groups for Influenza Vaccination

The following priority groups for influenza vaccination this season according to CDC are considered to be of equal importance and are:

• all children aged 6 to 23 months;
• adults 65 years and older;
• persons aged 2 to 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions;
• all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
• children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
• health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and
• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months of age.

Vaccination of Persons in Nonpriority Groups

Persons who are not included in one of the priority groups described above should be informed about the urgent vaccine supply situation and asked to forego or defer vaccination according to CDC.

Good Health Habits to Prevent the Flu

·       Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

·       If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

·       Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

·       Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

·       Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

WCCHD Health Authority Dr. Ed Sherwood and Karen Wilson, MN, MPH, WCCHD director, also remind Williamson County residents that a healthy lifestyle including exercise most days of the week and daily intake of five fruits and vegetables will help maintain overall health.

Where to Get the Influenza Vaccination if You Are in a Priority Group

Unfortunately, at this time, WCCHD does not anticipate having flu vaccine and therefore has not scheduled and will likely not be providing any flu shots this flu season. 

Because the shortage of flu vaccine is a relatively new development, usual providers of flu vaccine such as pharmacies, stores, clinics, hospitals, and private physicians have been changing or canceling their flu vaccine availability.  Individuals will have to contact providers in their area to determine availability. 

The WCCHD website will be updated periodically with any new information on flu vaccine in Williamson County as it becomes available http://www.publichealthwilliamson.org/

- 30 -