I don't get any of the flu shots as I am allergic to them. My risk of getting sick went way down after I retired, since many of the people I worked with came to work sick a lot and it was a sick building to begin with. But my risk is back up now that I am reading to preschool children twice a week. There is always snotting and coughing and since I read 1-on-1 and not to the whole class, I am in very close contact to the children.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
October 17, 2009 Vaccine Shortfall Predicted as Swine Flu Cases Rise
By DENISE GRADY
Health officials on Friday predicted a shortfall in the supply of swine flu vaccine, as the numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths grow to levels unprecedented for this time of year.
Flu caused by the H1N1 virus is now widespread in 41 states, and flulike illnesses account for 6.1 percent of all doctor visits.
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Projections of the supply of swine flu vaccine have widely varied. During the summer, health officials said 120 million doses would be ready in October. They later dropped the estimate to 40 million doses by the end of the month.
Now, Dr. Schuchat said, they expect only 28 million to 30 million doses, adding that the exact numbers were impossible to predict and could change daily. She said vaccine manufacturers were reporting that production was behind schedule.
HMO has about 40 people working on the walk in flu clinic. It was totally efficient and took about 8 mins (but I was there at 8:30am and they were saying that there was no line "yet").
They billed my insurance. Don't know if insurance will PAY... but we'll see.
I'm not in a high risk category for H1N1... but my kid is... but they don't have the vaccine yet.
Denise
Posts: 9221 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Our peds office was supposed to be offering all kids H1N1 vacc. starting today but when I called the office there was a recording saying that they'll only be doing their high risk population but hoped for more vaccine by mid month.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Suppliers face winter flu vaccine delays, cutbacks
By DAVID A. LIEB The Associated Press Thursday, October 1, 2009 6:56 PM
-- Waiting for the swine flu vaccine? Well, you might have to wait a bit longer for a seasonal flu shot, too.
The biggest makers of seasonal flu vaccines in the U.S. are running into delays or cutting back shipments - partly because of the crunch to produce millions of doses of the new swine flu vaccine.
Drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur said it has shipped more than half of the 50.5 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine ordered and it could be November before some U.S. customers get the rest of their shipments.
Novartis AG and GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Thursday their shipments are on schedule. But they've told customers they may get about 10 percent less than ordered.
The three companies account for about 100 million of the nation's expected 114 million doses.
The delay and cutbacks have already forced some doctor's offices to turn away patients and others to cancel clinics around the country.
Who will be recommended as target groups to receive the H1N1 flu shot (vaccine)?
The CDC recommends that the H1N1 flu vaccine be made available first to the following groups which are most likely to get the flu:
•Pregnant women
•Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (e.g. parents, siblings, and child care providers)
•Health care and emergency medical services personnel
•Persons from 6 months to 24 years of age
•People aged 25 to 64 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of flu complications (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
Once providers meet the demand for vaccine among persons in these initial target groups, vaccination is recommended for all persons 25 through 64 years of age.
Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer H1N1 flu vaccination to people 65 or older.
I no longer get a choice. My doctor won't let me not get it, and I told her the only reason I hadn't yet was because I've been sick the last three weeks & she probably wouldn't have let me have it while I was sick. (She agreed, and told me to come back next week for it. Oh well, I tried. )
I can't really blame her this year, I've already had two versions of whatever the head yuck of the year is and developed bronchitis because of it. I'm really over being sick.
She told me to check back, because she wasn't going to let me out of the Swine Flu one either.
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
I am allergic to flu vaccine, so if/when I'll get the H1N1 vaccine is not something I have to worry about. Getting the flu is what I have to worry about!
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
(She agreed, and told me to come back next week for it. Oh well, I tried.
) 
