Federal and other officials are asking senior citizens and additional high-risk populations who are attempting to get flu vaccination shots to try and relax until more vaccine is available in the weeks ahead.
According to Edward Rumen, the Ocean County Health Department public information officer, some additional influenza vaccine is starting to make its way through the distribution pipeline and going to high-risk groups as recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Rumen, vaccine manufacturer Aventis Pasteur shipped more than 2 million doses of influenza vaccine last week to state public health officials, acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, the Veterans Administration and Vaccines for Children Program.
“By following federal guidelines, it is expected that there will be enough flu vaccine to immunize high-risk populations around the state,” Rumen said. “It is important to recognize that there are no reported cases of flu in New Jersey and we are expecting the CDC to honor its commitment to send us enough vaccine to assure that every high-risk person who wishes to be vaccinated receives a vaccination once it is available.”
“More doses of vaccine will be going out over the next six to seven weeks, so there will be more opportunities for those who need the vaccine to get it in time for this year’s influenza season,” said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding.
She noted that influenza usually peaks in the United States between December and March.
Gerberding said she realized the stress the lack of vaccine was currently causing some persons.
“This shortage is frightening to people and they’re rushing out and standing in long lines thinking they need the vaccine right now before it’s all gone. We want them to know that more is coming, so as hard as it may be, please try and be patient and check with our provider ahead of time for availability of vaccine in your area,” she said.
Rumen said health department officials have been in active contact with state Department of Health and Senior Services personnel about vaccine availability and distribution.
“We are in daily contact with department officials and participate in the weekly teleconference with Health Commissioner Dr. Clifton Lacy, where we are briefed on vaccine supply issues and can get our questions answered directly by Commissioner Lacy or one of his top assistants,” Rumen said.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said there will be enough flu vaccine available for most people who need it and told seniors to stop standing in long lines to get a shot.
“We want people to relax,” Thompson said. “The flu season is not here.”
Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health, said Aventis Pasteur produced 55.4 million does of flu vaccine for the upcoming flu season. Before the announcement by the other vaccine manufacturer, Chiron, on Oct. 5 of its inability to ship its vaccine due to contamination concerns, Aventis had already shipped approximately 33 million vaccine doses to health departments, pediatricians, hospitals and physicians.
“After Oct. 5, the CDC changed its guidance as to who should receive a flu shot this year, placing the highest at-risk persons as first priority and asking healthy adults to skip their shots this year,” Little said.
Little said high-risk populations include:
• All children ages 6-23 months.
• Adults age 65 or older.
• Persons ages 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions.
• All women who will be pregnant during influenza season.
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy.
• Health-care workers with direct patient care.
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.
Rumen said the health department had placed its order for 35,000 doses of adult inactivated flu vaccine with Chiron in March as part of a state contract for its fall and winter clinics, which were planned to start this month.
“We received official notice that all of Chiron’s vaccine was unusable after our flu vaccine schedules were printed and distributed,” Rumen said. “It is unfortunate that we had to cancel our clinics due to lack of vaccine.”
Little said once the state receives its future allocation of flu vaccine and notifies the county as to how many doses it shall receive, a new, revised flu vaccination clinic schedule will be prepared and implanted.
“The best thing to do now is to take care of yourself by frequently washing your hands, covering your face with a tissue when sneezing, disposing of the tissue promptly after use, avoiding contact with people who appear ill, and if you become sick, stay home,” Little said.
Rumen said any future county clinics will be limited to county residents and the high risk protocols established by the CDC will be followed to assure maximum distribution of the vaccine to those that need it most.