Flu shots recommended for those in high-risk

October 8, 2004
Galveston Daily News
Staff Reports
Editorial 10/07/04

Galveston County health officials say they are taking a close look at plans to provide flu shots given news that the country’s supply of vaccine has been cut in half after British health authorities shut down a major vaccine maker Tuesday.

“Eight to 10 million doses of the flu vaccine are ordered each year by Texas doctors, companies, health care facilities, supermarket chains and other organizations,” said Kurt Koopmann, public information officer for the health district. “We ordered 6,600 doses and we have received 4,450 with delivery of the remaining doses unconfirmed at this time.

“We feel we can adequately address the needs of those individuals we have traditionally served. The unknown we are dealing with is how many may be sent our way by private providers and others who have not received the vaccine they ordered. If that occurs we will make every effort to serve as many citizens as possible.”

Almost anyone can receive a flu shot, but because of the shortage situation the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the following priority groups should seriously consider receiving a flu vaccination:

• All children aged 6 months to 23 months old.
• Adults 65 and older.
• People aged 2 to 64 years with chronic conditions.
• Women who will be pregnant during flu season.
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
• Children 6 months to 18 years old on chronic aspiring therapy.
• Health care workers involved in direct patient care.
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than six months old.

“Getting vaccinated, especially for those in the high-risk populations, is the best prevention,” said Dr. Mark Guidry of the district.

“Although the flu itself typically lasts only a week or two, it can lead to more serious illness such as pneumonia, especially for the elderly and people with other health problems. Every year an estimated 8,000 Texans are hospitalized and 1,500 die due to influenza or its complications.”

The vaccine is not recommended for people who have an allergic reaction to eggs or anyone with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

The district will begin its flu prevention campaign next week with a revised schedule of locations where flu vaccinations will be administered. The public will be able to find the schedule on the district’s Web site at www.gchd.org and it will also be distributed to local newspapers for publication. For persons with Medicare Part B insurance, the shot will be available at no cost to them. For others the vaccination will be available at a cost of $16.

For more information the public can call (409) 938-2201.

read the press release