CNN/Reuters: Plenty of flu vaccine expected this year

[DeepModem Mom]

Plenty of flu vaccine expected this year
CDC opens vaccination to everyone
Tuesday, October 25, 2005


WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- At least 70 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available for the U.S. market this year and everybody who wants a shot should be able to get one, health officials said on Monday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opened flu vaccination to everyone on Monday, saying the priority groups, such as seniors, who need the vaccine first had been given plenty of time to get them.

"There is no reason for anyone to delay or go without their annual flu shot," Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt told reporters in a telephone briefing.

Last week the CDC reported that too few Americans are getting their flu shots. An estimated 185 million Americans are considered at high risk of complications including death from influenza.

But only about 65 percent of them get the shots. Last year fewer than 60 million people got flu shots. The American Lung Association said only 40 percent of adults with asthma and 10 percent of children with the disease are immunized although they are considered high risk....


http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/conditions/10/25/health.influenza.reut/index.html

[boston bean]

1. That's good to know, but just last week my office got a letter

talking about a shortage. Due to the English Company that supplies has not recieved FDA approval.

[megatherium]

2. I got mine already.

I accidently cheated. Only high priority persons were to receive vaccines before October 24. The local Kroger grocery store had shots being given out on October 5. The sign didn't say "only for high priority people". So I stood in line with all the retired folk. When it was my turn, they told me I shouldn't get a shot since I'm only 46. But they asked me if I take care of any elderly persons, and I said I would be visiting my parents for Thanksgiving. So they let me get a shot.

[sweetheart]

3. me too

It was free for me, because i have athsma, but my spouse had to pay
6 pound 50 pence for the priviledge. God bless the NHS.

[MuseRider]

4. Waited almost 2 hours

but we got ours last week.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. Yep, we expect it... since we live in an industrialized nation

but we ain't gonna get it!