Any resident of San Benito County not considered high-risk for
the flu will not be eligible for a flu vaccination this season
because of a mandate issued by California’s public health officer
Friday.
Hollister – Any resident of San Benito County not considered high-risk for the flu will not be eligible for a flu vaccination this season because of a mandate issued by California’s public health officer Friday.
A state of emergency ordered by state public health officer Dr. Richard Jackson concerning the nation-wide shortage means any healthy county resident age 2 to 64 will not be vaccinated this season. The shortage was caused when Chiron, a major vaccine manufacturer, had contamination problems.
San Benito County Public Health Services, which usually receives about 1,100 doses of flu vaccine, will get a much smaller supply than usual, and will not be vaccinating any adult, whether they’re considered high risk or not, said Muree Reafs, director of nursing.
“We’re doing an inventory, and we’ve learned a lot of providers in San Benito County had purchased from Chiron,” Reafs said. “It’s a significant issue in San Benito County.”
Only children age 6 to 23 months who are uninsured, on Medical or Native American or Alaskan Indian will be eligible to receive a vaccine through the county’s public health services, Reafs said.
But Hazel Hawkins Hospital, which will also will receive limited supplies, will be vaccinating all children age 6 to 23 months, adults age 65 and older, nursing home residents, health care workers involved in direct patient care, pregnant women and anyone age 2 to 64 with chronic medical conditions, according to a hospital statement.
Almost half of the nation’s vaccine will not be delivered because Chiron had its license to manufacture the vaccine Fluvirin suspended for three months. The company was to ship 46 to 48 million doses of flu vaccine to the United State, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Exact numbers of providers in the county that will not be receiving any vaccine this season haven’t been compiled yet, Reafs said.
Hazel Hawkins Hospital, which usually has two flu clinics and vaccinates about 1,000 people, hasn’t received any vaccines yet and a timeline for when they do is uncertain, said Marian Anderson, director of the emergency department.
Vaccinations are given at the rural health clinic across from the hospital on Sunset Drive and at its clinic in San Juan Bautista.
Healthy individuals who are not eligible for a vaccination should take precautions not to get the flu by eating well and getting plenty of exercise and rest, Anderson said.
“The number one way to prevent it is to wash your hands frequently – that’s how simple it is,” she said. “But if you do get sick, take care of yourself and don’t spread it. Stay home.”
Nob Hill pharmacy, which usually vaccinates about 500 people a season, was unable to get any of the vaccine, but hopes to get some of the nasal flu vaccine FluMist, in this week, said pharmacist Mary White.
FluMist is only for healthy people age 5 to 49, and White said the pharmacy may only receive a limited amount because of basic supply and demand.
“My hope would be that it’s going to be a light flu season and that the high-risk people are going to get vaccinated,” she said.
Pinnacles Urgent Care ordered about 1,400 vaccines through Chiron for its Hollister branch and wont’ be receiving any, said CEO Ernesto Alvero.
However, the facility will provide flu testing and for those that test positive for the virus will get a prescription for an anti-viral medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the virus, Alvero said.
If someone has flu symptoms, such as achiness, headaches, dry throat or nausea, if they are tested and begin taking medication within 48 hours the symptoms should decrease, he said.
“It doesn’t cure it… but it certainly helps a lot,” Alvero said.
The tests cost $25, are 98 percent accurate and should begin sometime this week, he said.
More than 36,000 people die every year in the U.S. from the flu, according to the CDC.
To attempt to find a flu clinic in the area log onto www.findaflushot.com.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety and health issues for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566. ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
