From Today's Associated Press:
"U.S. Weighs Easing Flu Shot Restrictions
Health Officials Consider Easing Restrictions on Flu Shots So Vaccines Don't Go to Waste
ATLANTA Dec 16, 2004 — Two months after the government recommended that scarce flu shots be reserved for people most at risk, health officials are now worried that tens of thousands of doses could go to waste, and they are considering easing the restrictions.
It turns out that the furor over the vaccine shortage and the government's response have had an unintended effect: More than half of all elderly or chronically ill adults have not even tried to get flu shots because they figured they would not be able to get one, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to hold an emergency conference call Friday to discuss whether to amend its earlier response to the vaccine shortage and recommend that more people be allowed to get shots.
"Many of us are now concerned we will not use vaccine supplies. The only sin this season is to leave vaccine on the shelf," said Dr. William Schaffner, an influenza vaccine expert and head of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn."
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=336697