County Runs Out Of Flu Vaccine
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
If you haven't gotten your flu vaccination shot yet this year, you may be out of luck.
"We don't have any. We ran out," said Bob Weaver, Kosciusko County Health Department administrator, Monday. In fact, he said, they ran out several weeks ago. To his knowledge, there aren't many flu shots left in the county. Local physicians and pharmacies sometimes carry the shots, but they mostly had their clinics as far back as October and may be out of stock now, too.
The health department gets 600 doses a year, which is usually enough. But this year has turned out differently because of the increased number of flu cases in Colorado.
Weaver said in Kosciusko County, they had one confirmed case of influenza type A so far. There could be more, but not everyone goes to the doctor when they are ill.
According to information from the state department of health, provided by Weaver, as of last week, several Hoosiers already have been hospitalized with severe illness.
"Early indications are that the flu season may be more severe (this year) and may affect younger individuals as well as an older age group," said Greg Wilson, M.D., state health commissioner.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the reasons the flu season may be more severe are that influenza viruses are circulating at a higher level than usual at this time of the year and the group of influenza viruses circulating this year has in the past caused a lot of people to become ill and to develop complications.
Some local Kosciusko County physicians are trying to order more flu shots, Weaver said, but he doesn't know how that will play out. Manufacturers of the vaccine are running out.
Weaver suggested contacting the Allen County Board of Health about flu shots for Kosciusko County residents who may not have received them yet. However, a spokeswoman for Allen County said that due to the lateness of the flu season and the fact that their vaccinations stock was paid for through Allen County monies, they are offering flu shots to Allen County residents only.
Since influenza travels by close contact as well as being airborne, Weaver suggested the best possible way to avoid the flu is washing your hands - a lot.
"If I had to (recommend) one thing," Weaver said, "that would be it."
But the best piece of advice would be to get the vaccination.
Federal authorities estimate that in a typical year, 36,000 Americans die from the flu and its complications. Most of these deaths previously have been for people 65 and older. But this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics encouraged parents of healthy children, ages 6 months to 23 months, to discuss getting a flu shot for those children with their health care provider.
Flu shots are recommended for the following individuals: people over age 50; adults and children with a chronic disease, like diabetes or chronic disorders of the lungs and heart; anyone with a weakened immune system; anyone six months to 18 years old on long-term aspirin treatments; nursing home residents; pregnant women; medical caregivers; and anyone who doesn't want to get the flu.
"If you are in a high-risk category and haven't been vaccinated," said Wilson, "we urge you to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated right away." [[In-content Ad]]
If you haven't gotten your flu vaccination shot yet this year, you may be out of luck.
"We don't have any. We ran out," said Bob Weaver, Kosciusko County Health Department administrator, Monday. In fact, he said, they ran out several weeks ago. To his knowledge, there aren't many flu shots left in the county. Local physicians and pharmacies sometimes carry the shots, but they mostly had their clinics as far back as October and may be out of stock now, too.
The health department gets 600 doses a year, which is usually enough. But this year has turned out differently because of the increased number of flu cases in Colorado.
Weaver said in Kosciusko County, they had one confirmed case of influenza type A so far. There could be more, but not everyone goes to the doctor when they are ill.
According to information from the state department of health, provided by Weaver, as of last week, several Hoosiers already have been hospitalized with severe illness.
"Early indications are that the flu season may be more severe (this year) and may affect younger individuals as well as an older age group," said Greg Wilson, M.D., state health commissioner.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the reasons the flu season may be more severe are that influenza viruses are circulating at a higher level than usual at this time of the year and the group of influenza viruses circulating this year has in the past caused a lot of people to become ill and to develop complications.
Some local Kosciusko County physicians are trying to order more flu shots, Weaver said, but he doesn't know how that will play out. Manufacturers of the vaccine are running out.
Weaver suggested contacting the Allen County Board of Health about flu shots for Kosciusko County residents who may not have received them yet. However, a spokeswoman for Allen County said that due to the lateness of the flu season and the fact that their vaccinations stock was paid for through Allen County monies, they are offering flu shots to Allen County residents only.
Since influenza travels by close contact as well as being airborne, Weaver suggested the best possible way to avoid the flu is washing your hands - a lot.
"If I had to (recommend) one thing," Weaver said, "that would be it."
But the best piece of advice would be to get the vaccination.
Federal authorities estimate that in a typical year, 36,000 Americans die from the flu and its complications. Most of these deaths previously have been for people 65 and older. But this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics encouraged parents of healthy children, ages 6 months to 23 months, to discuss getting a flu shot for those children with their health care provider.
Flu shots are recommended for the following individuals: people over age 50; adults and children with a chronic disease, like diabetes or chronic disorders of the lungs and heart; anyone with a weakened immune system; anyone six months to 18 years old on long-term aspirin treatments; nursing home residents; pregnant women; medical caregivers; and anyone who doesn't want to get the flu.
"If you are in a high-risk category and haven't been vaccinated," said Wilson, "we urge you to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated right away." [[In-content Ad]]