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While the Center for Disease Control is reporting there will be enough flu shots to go around this winter, the vaccines don't seem to be getting distributed to Kosciusko County.
Friday afternoon, County Health Officer Dr. William Remington Jr. said the health department ordered 2,000 influenza vaccines from Aventis Pasteur, but the company was only able to promise and deliver 600. By Friday, the health department had only 100 left. The other 1,400 were back ordered, but Remington said there is no guarantee the company can deliver them.
According to information provided by Kosciusko Community Hospital, in 2004, KCH ordered 4,400 flu shot vaccines to provide adequate supply in 2005 to area residents through physician practices, community flu shot clinics and clinics held at local industries through the KCH Health & Wellness Center. This year, the hospital received 30 percent of this order and does not anticipate receiving further flu shots.
"The lack of flu shot vaccine is what hospitals are facing nationally. Community members are disappointed about the fact that flu shot vaccine is unavailable. Kosciusko Community Hospital is equally as frustrated, having received 30 percent of orders from the manufacturer, to cover the community demand," said Michael Mullins, chief executive officer of Kosciusko Community Hospital.
"I'm not sure why we are seeing the distribution problem here," said Remington.
Because of the shortages, the health department and KCH had to curtail their flu shot programs, Remington said. If local physicians or stores are more successful in acquiring flu shots, Remington said they may be the places to get the flu shot.
"It's been very frustrating," said Remington, as a private physician figuring out what to tell his own patients. But he said he's encouraging them to get the shot somehow. In a month, there could be plenty of vaccines, he said, but it's best to get the shot early in the influenza season.
Influenza season is from November to early April. The flu season peaks in January-February. After a person receives the flu shot, it takes two weeks for the vaccination to develop "a good immunity response."
"Our intent was to have more vaccine from the public health sector, but it did not work out," Remington said.
If someone has an opportunity to get a flu shot, Remington said they should take it.
"Just keep their ears and eyes open," he said.
Kosciusko Community Hospital anticipates further diversifying vaccine orders from flu shot manufacturers next year to cover the community need. Efforts to educate the community about flu prevention measures are two-fold.
Advertisements are currently placed in local newspapers that outline Center for Disease Control guidelines for preventing or spreading the flu.
Flu prevention guidelines include:
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water; or, use hand sanitizer lotion.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay at home when you are sick, when feasible.
• Practice daily good nutrition.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you are coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touch to the eyes, nose and mouth.
• Exercise.
The KCH Health & Wellness Center recently distributed oversized posters, including the CDC flu prevention guidelines and bottles of hand sanitizer, to educate area employees about flu prevention measures through their workplace.
Federal authorities estimate that in a typical year, 36,000 Americans die from the flu and its complications. 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.
