[NVIC] Not Many Want Flu Vaccine

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E-NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL VACCINE INFORMATION CENTER

Vienna, Virginia http://www.nvic.org

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UNITED WAY/COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN

#9119

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" Protecting the health and informed consent rights of children since 1982. "

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BL Fisher Note: Without the constant hype and fear mongering by public

health officials that causes people to lose their perspective, most healthy

adults and parents of healthy children intuitively know they don't need a

flu shot to stay healthy.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-01-06-vaccine-waste_x.htm

USA TODAY

Vaccine may be wasted

Fri Jan 7, 6:56 AM ET

By Schmit, USA TODAY

The flu-shot shortage has turned into a surplus in some areas, raising fears

that some vaccine might be wasted.

Aventis Pasteur, supplier of almost all flu-shot vaccine for the USA this

year, still has about 3.3 million doses to distribute to U.S. consumers.

GlaxoKline is on tap to ship 1.2 million shots from Europe. And

MedImmune, maker of a nasal vaccine, has supplies.

But more than a dozen states contacted by USA TODAY say they have enough

vaccine to meet demand. That is because many people at high risk for the flu

opted to forgo shots this season, believing other people needed them more.

The USA lost nearly half its flu vaccine last fall after manufacturer

Chiron's 48 million doses were declared unusable because of contamination

fears. A mild flu season also has eased the demand.

That could change if the season picks up. But for now, some states are

struggling to use up vaccine:

.. California has about 200,000 doses available and 300,000 more that will

become available soon for California medical providers to order. Even though

consumers want shots, doctors and other providers are hesitant to order

vaccine because they think it is late in the flu season, says Backer,

chief of California's immunization branch. " They're afraid of getting stuck

with vaccine, " he says. Typically, most flu shots are used before Jan. 1.

.. Arizona doctors canceled 10,000 dose orders because of weak demand.

Minnesota has 20,000 to 25,000 doses even after shipping some to Louisiana.

.. Massachusetts could get 60,000 more doses but won't take them because it

still has vaccine, says St. of the state's department of

health. Washington is eligible for 160,000 more doses, but it still has

30,000 of its original 160,000.

On Dec. 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web

sites) recommended that states with adequate supplies loosen flu-shot

restrictions starting last Monday. The new guidelines include anyone 50 and

older - down from the earlier cutoff at age 65 - and people in other

high-risk groups.

Several states eased restrictions earlier. " The CDC was too slow to adapt "

to weakening demand from health care providers, Backer says.

Some states still do not have enough vaccine for high-risk customers.

Pennsylvania has a waiting list of 15,000. Florida recently purchased 68,000

doses from California sources. Louisiana physician Fleming has

patients awaiting shots and expects his office to get its first 1,000 doses

next week. " With 11 physicians, you can imagine how far that will go. "

Officials say it is not too late to get a shot. Flu activity, which has been

mild in most areas, is picking up. Often, flu season does not peak until

February. Shots take two weeks to become fully effective. Patients should

call their doctors or local health departments.

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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath

http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm