Health & Wellness: Take Action to Stop the Flu

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Prevention strategies crucial in wake of nationwide vaccine shortage

The nationwide flu vaccine shortage this year understandably has many people concerned about flu season and their chances of getting the virus. However, there are many simple things everyone can do to prevent the illness.

Flu Q&A
Should I be concerned or worried about the shortage of flu vaccine this year?
More

On Oct. 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified by Chiron Corp. that none of its influenza vaccine (Fluvirin®) would be available for distribution in the United States for the 2004–2005 influenza season. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom, where Chiron’s Fluvirin vaccine is produced, suspended the company’s license to manufacture the vaccine – cutting in half the flu shots available in the U.S. for the 2004-2005 flu season.

Because of the shortage, the CDC has issued guidelines advising hospitals and other health care facilities to prioritize flu shot distribution, giving first access to high-risk groups. The CDC recommends that people at high-risk for serious flu complications or who are in contact with people at high-risk be given priority for getting the flu shot. People in the following groups should seek vaccination this season:

All children aged 6-23 months
Adults 65 and older
People 2-64 years old with underlying chronic medical conditions
All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Children 6 months-18 years old on chronic aspirin therapy
Health care workers involved in direct patient care
Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months

Some people should not be vaccinated. These include people with a severe allergy to chicken eggs, who have had a severe reaction to a flu shot, who have Guillain-Barré syndrome and children younger than 6 months of age.

Are there other ways to prevent getting the flu?
Because healthy adults are not considered high-risk, they likely will not be able to receive a flu shot because of the vaccine shortage. However, there are effective steps everyone can take to prevent getting the flu.

Wash your hands often.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

What about the FluMist™?
FluMist™ is a nasal-spray flu vaccine. It is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. FluMist™ is approved for use in healthy people 5-49 years of age who are not pregnant. Ask your physician for more information.

What are the symptoms of the flu?
The influenza virus can cause mild to severe illness. Flu symptoms include:

Sudden onset of symptoms, within a few hours. (Cold symptoms develop over a few days.)
Body aches
High fever
Cough
Nasal congestion
Other symptoms may include stiff neck, abdominal pain and vomiting.

Every year in the United States, on average 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. About 36,000 people die from flu.

Is there treatment for the flu?
For people who get the flu, there are antiviral treatments that can help. However, they must receive these medicines within 12-24 hours after the onset of symptoms. If you develop these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Where will flu shots for high-risk groups be available?
Start by asking your physician. Also, the news media are helping educate the community about flu vaccine issues. The media will let the community know of any places the shot might be available, if applicable.

What sort of flu season is expected this year?
Influenza season typically peaks in the U.S. between December and March. Flu seasons are unpredictable. Although epidemics of flu happen in most years, the beginning, severity and length of the epidemic can vary widely from year to year. Before a season begins, it is not possible to accurately predict the features of any season.

Published: Oct. 19, 2004
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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