Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Shortage of flu vaccine exists; but there's no need to panic

There will be less flu vaccine available this year than in years past.

This is because the Chiron Corporation, that makes the vaccine, has had its license suspended for three months. The company, based in England, will be unable to provide any flu vaccine this year.

This will reduce the supply by half for the United States. Aventis Pasteur, Inc., another manufacturer of flu vaccine, will be shipping 54 million doses to America.

However, about 30 million of these doses have already been distributed.

Edie Greenwood, with the Nevada County Health Unit said there's no reason for anyone to panic because of the shortage of flu vaccine. The NCHU expects to get its supply in around the middle of this month.

Because of the shortage not everyone can get one. Priorities will be established to make sure those facing the greatest risk will be first served.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), all priority groups are equally important and need the vaccine.

These groups are: all children aged 6-23 months; adults 65 and older; those 2-64 with underlying chronic medical conditions; women who will be pregnant during the flu season; nursing home residents; children six months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy, health care workers involved with direct patient care; and out-of-home caregivers.

The CDC suggests those in these groups seek vaccines locally if their regular health care provider doesn't have any.

Additionally, there is an intranasal, live-attenuated flu vaccine available, and healthy people are encouraged to use this instead of trying to get a regular flu shot. This intranasal vaccine is good for those ages 5-49, who aren't pregnant and those who care for children six months old.

Flu vaccine is made with eggs, and those who are allergic to eggs should check with their doctors before considering a flu shot.

The flu can be life threatening under certain conditions and for some people. However, for the most part, the flu is little more than irritating to the majority of those who catch it.

It is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. According to statistics from the CDC, 5-20 percent of Americans get the flu, with more than 200,000 hospitalized because of it; and about 36,000 people die each year from the flu or its complications.

The old and young are more susceptible to flu problems than others.

Symptoms include: fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches, as are chills. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are more common among children than adults.

Some of the complications caused by the flu include dehydration and a worsening of any chronic medical condition, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

The flu spreads through respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. It usually goes from person to person, though a person can be infected by touching something someone with the flu has touched and then touching their mouth or nose.

Adults can infect others a day before showing any symptoms, and up to seven days after getting sick.

The flu can be prevented by following good health habits and obtaining antiviral medications from the family doctor.

First and foremost, avoid close contact with sick people whenever possible. For those who are sick, keep away from others to help protect them from the flu.

And, it's always a good idea to stay home when ill. This will help the sufferer heal faster and prevent the spread of contagious germs.

Common sense approaches also work, such as covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. And, there's always the best bet  keep the hands clean. Wash them often during flu season using an antibacterial soap.

Another good idea is to avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when a person touches something contaminated then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

It's also not a bad idea to stock up on chicken soup. Research has discovered there are enzymes in chicken soup that help alleviate colds and flu.