The Ocean County Board of Health announced it has suspended its influenza vaccination program due to actions taken by the British government in lifting the license of the vaccine supplier.
The British health regulatory agency suspended the license of Chiron, which produced half the flu vaccine destined for Americans this year. The California-based company manufactured the vaccine at its plant in England.
“For many years now, a growing number of county residents have depended upon the Ocean County Health Depart-ment to provide them with low cost or no cost flu vaccines. We are making every effort to attempt to find additional supply sources,” Public Health Coordinator Joseph J. Przywara stated. “We are working with the state Department of Health and Senior Services toward that end as well as our local congressmen.”
Przywara stated that as a public agency, the department must follow state law regarding routine bidding of supplies and services.
“We used the state contract with Chiron as our source of vaccine and ordered 35,000 doses for delivery. We never had a problem using state contracts in the past. This unexpected action by the British government has placed more than 100 New Jersey health departments that used the state contract in the same situation.”
Health officials asked high-risk clients to consider obtaining a flu vaccination shot from other sources, such as private physicians or to contact local drug, grocery or chain stores which may be offering clinics.
“The Board of Health passed an emergency resolution allowing the department to purchase adult vaccine from Aventis, the other manufacturer,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the board. “Department officials told me that Aventis has placed us on a waiting list with no chance of getting vaccine this month but possibly sometime in Novem-ber.”
The federal Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention and the state De-partment of Health and Senior Services have asked healthy, low-risk persons to forgo or deter traditional flu vaccinations at this time.
Dr. Ella Boyd, coordinator of community health services, reminded the public that there are other means for preventing influenza in addition to vaccinations. Such measures include:
• Washing hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Covering the nose and mouth when sneezing.
• Using tissues to contain respiratory secretions and disposing of tissues immediately after use.
• Staying home when ill.
Current information on the availability of adult flu vaccinations doses and clinics will be posted on the Ocean County Health Department Internet Web site, www.ochd.org.