Flu Vaccines in short supply!

#1 Postby **pojo** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 3:04 pm

Local vaccine supply disappearing quickly

By Steve Wideman
Post-Crescent staff writer

Nearly 2,000 doses of influenza vaccine available just days ago in the Fox Valley are all but gone except for special cases.

Spokesmen for Affinity Health System and ThedaCare said Tuesday the only available doses of vaccine are being reserved for high-risk patients and those, including children, scheduled for required second doses.

“We do have a very limited supply of the vaccine,” said Kim Warth, director of marketing for Affinity.

“We are using that vaccine for those people who fall into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categories for high risk.”

The Atlanta-based CDC announced Tuesday it was looking to Europe to acquire additional vaccine after the two major U.S. suppliers, Aventis Pasteur and Chiron Corp., said last week they distributed all 83 million flu doses manufactured for this flu season.

Warth said Affinity’s Web site — http://www.affinityhealth.org — contains updated qualifications to receive a flu vaccine.

Warth said Affinity, which received about 1,000 doses last week, is searching for any vaccine distributors with supplies, “but we haven’t been able to find any additional doses.

“We are trying to do whatever we can to find some,” Warth said.

John Gillespie of ThedaCare said Tuesday the organization had 940 doses last week “but in the interim everything dried up.”

“The doses we have remaining in ThedaCare are being reserved for high-risk patients or those needing booster shots. We don’t have any vaccine available for the general public,” Gillespie said.

Steve Wideman can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 302 or by e-mail at swideman@ postcrescent.com

Skywatch_NC · #2 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 3:11 pm

Glad my folks and I had flu shots in mid October!

Sadly, there's been one death due to flu in NC...a 6 year-old boy in Montgomery County! :cry:

Eric

Amanzi · #3 Postby **Amanzi** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 3:16 pm

That is terrible Eric!

I have not heard about to many cases of bad flu here in FL. Is it wide spread where you are? Question goes for all of course

Skywatch_NC · #4 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 3:23 pm

It is widespread in NC as of today according to the CDC. Also, have heard that several have died from the flu in Colorado...mostly children! :cry:

Eric

Lindaloo · #5 Postby **Lindaloo** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 3:58 pm

I think the CDC and the media is hyping the flu outbreak.

The CDC has just obtained 100,000 more vials of the flu vaccine from Britain.

#6 Postby **wx247** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 4:00 pm

Missouri will join the list Monday as states with the flu at epidemic proportions.

Springfield, MO (in Green County) has observed Missouri's first death associated with the flu.

PTrackerLA · #7 Postby **PTrackerLA** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 4:35 pm

I actually got a flu shot this year after hearing how bad the outbreaks were around here. Still haven't been sick yet either (knock on wood).

Lindaloo · #8 Postby **Lindaloo** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 4:57 pm

I was sick last winter with the flu. It was so bad I was put in the hospital. I took the nasal vaccine this year. It cost me 75 bucks, but it is better than that darn needle.

j · #9 Postby j » Thu Dec 11, 2003 5:02 pm

never in my life have I had a flu shot. I watch my wife get sick every year after she gets hers...me..I just keep on chuggin'

Skywatch_NC · #10 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 5:06 pm

Must be something wrong then with those SC flu shots. :wink:

I always get a shot...haven't had the "bug" now in the last few years and so far so good this year, too.

Eric

Flu Vaccines in short supply!

Flu Vaccines in short supply!

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