Flu vaccine supply may fluctuate
By Scott Nicholson

Watauga County should have enough flu vaccines to meet demand, though supply will probably continue to fluctuate.

The county health department has held several clinics to give vaccinations, and has administered between 1,500 and 2,000 total. Health department director Danny Staley expects to get another 1,500 doses this flu season, but right now, the few remaining vaccines will be reserved for pediatric use or for those at-risk patients who could develop serious complications from the flu.

Staley expects another vaccine shipment to arrive this week. Those wanting vaccines can call the health department at 264-4995, and they will be contacted when the next clinic is scheduled. Some private practitioners may still have vaccine available, though several have called the health department asking if doses were available.

Staley said there is no tracking mechanism to know which health care providers have vaccines, which is one of the frustrations of the supply system. Because the vaccines are distributed on a free-market basis, the manufacturers make their own determinations over the number of does to deliver. While there is not expected to be a dramatic shortage this year, as there was last year when a manufacturer lost its license and 70 million doses went undelivered,  the supply has been unreliable.

Boone Drug & Health Care Center has held several vaccination clinics this year, and held one Friday, though again it ran out of supply. It expects to have more vaccine on Wednesday, and administers shots on a first-come, first-served basis when supplies are available.

Staley said he’d like the federal government to take a hard look at tracking flu vaccines and having more control over distribution, as it does with childhood immunizations.  Staley said a free-market solution is not the best way to handle what is a public health issue.

Vaccines are sent by manufacturers to large health-care companies, who then distribute them to their clients. Staley said unless a company orders 100,000 or more, they are not likely to get priority for supply.

People are generally recommended for vaccines from the end of October through November, though Staley said “There is no bad time to get it.”

Flu outbreaks usually show up shortly after the holidays, when more people are traveling and gathering. While the avian flu is grabbing headlines and served to launch a federal proposal for a pandemic flu strategy, the annual flu season is a more realistic threat to most people. Between five and 20 percent of the United States population gets the flu each year, leading to 200,000 hospital visits and 36,000 deaths.

While a vaccine is the best bet for prevention, Staley said good health habits such as hand washing and cough-and-sneeze etiquette are still the “golden standard.” The Centers for Disease Control recommends  the following practices:

*  Avoid close contact.

      Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

    * Stay home when you are 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.

      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

    * Clean your hands.

      Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

    * 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.

For more information on how vaccines work and how flu spreads, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.