Because of a nationwide flu shot shortage, only about half of
San Benito County’s vaccine needs will be met this season,
according to the county’s public health agency.
Approximately 25 private physicians were contacted by the county
public health services agency, and about half of them said they’d
received some doses for their own patients, said Dr. Elizabeth
Falade, county health officer.
Hollister – Because of a nationwide flu shot shortage, only about half of San Benito County’s vaccine needs will be met this season, according to the county’s public health agency.
Approximately 25 private physicians were contacted by the county public health services agency, and about half of them said they’d received some doses for their own patients, said Dr. Elizabeth Falade, county health officer.
The other half were unable to get any of the vaccines, but the half that did receive the shots said they would need more, she said.
“Everybody who has it doesn’t have enough,” Falade said. “We’re hoping there will be more in the county as the season goes on.”
None of the public providers have received vaccines yet.
However, even private physicians will only be vaccinating those patients considered high risk because of a mandate issued by the state’s public health officer Friday. Health officer Dr. Richard Jackson issued a state of emergency, ordering healthy people between the ages of 2 and 64 not be vaccinated this flu season because of a nationwide shortage.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, additional flu doses may be available from two other vaccine manufacturers later in the flu season, and then distributed to public agencies.
If San Benito County receives any more vaccines later in the season, which usually lasts from November to February, the extra doses would be distributed by the county health agency to the private sectors, Falade said.
“But nothing is guaranteed, I’m afraid,” she said.
If more doses are made available, getting a shot late is better than not getting one at all, she said.
“We don’t know when the season is going to peak,” she said. “It won’t be too late to do it in December.”
Almost half of the country’s vaccines will not be delivered because major manufacturer, Chiron, had its license to manufacture the vaccine Fluvirin suspended for three months due to contamination problems.
To find a vaccine, people should contact the provider they went to last year for a flu shot to see if they’ve received any, Falade said.
Those considered high risk who are eligible for a flu shot are 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 any age 2 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.
Erin Musgrave covers health issues for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
