If health officials across the country had headaches this week, it wasn’t because of flu symptoms. The headaches started when they discovered that this year’s U.S. flu vaccine, some 100 million doses, might be cut in half.That’s a headache that may send people into a panic.

The United Kingdom-based Chiron Corporation had its license to produce flu vaccine suspended by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
The corporation produces nearly half of the vaccine available for the flu shots in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The other half – 52 million doses – comes from the France-based Aventis.

In the surprise move, the British regulatory agency suspended Chiron’s license at its Liverpool facility for three months following the discovery earlier this year that some batches of its Fluvirin vaccine were sterile.

What can Americans do on the eve of the flu season? Heed the admonition of health officials that people with health risks – “at risk” seniors and children and the chronically ill – obtain their flu shots first.

Here in Stanislaus County, the health department has cancelled all 28 of the flu clinics, including the senior clinic it planned to run in Patterson this month. Public health advises people to visit their private doctors for immunizations.

Vera McGee, vice president of the Patterson Senior Center board, said the flu clinic was always well-attended by local seniors and will be missed.

“It’s a shame they don’t have enough (vaccine) for everybody,” she said. “Lots of people don’t have transportation.”

That means many people won’t be immunized, of course, and they may have to suffer through the flu season. During an average year when there is enough vaccine, the flu kills 36,000 Americans and hospitalizes another 114,000. There is also a loss of production at work and added employer and employee costs from health insurance co-payments and premiums. This year, the numbers could be worse.

David Jones, spokesman for the county Health Service Agency, said that the majority of people who develop severe cases of the flu and are hospitalized develop pneumonia.
“The good news is there is a pneumonia vaccine available in abundant supply,” Jones said. “So seniors are encouraged to contact their physician’s office to check on availability of the pneumococcal vaccine.”

He added that the county has some doses of pediatric vaccine and will have some clinics for children with heart or lung conditions, diabetes or asthma. These vaccines also will be available for all low-income children ages 6 to 23 months.

Folks, of course, can help prevent getting sick by washing their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Good respiratory hygiene also is important.

“People need to remember to cover their nose and mouth”, Jones said. “When coughing and sneezing, use a handkerchief or shirt sleeve. Cleanliness is the first line of defense.”