Officials huddle on flu shot shortage
Vaccine left after Tuesday's mass flu clinic will get distributed within the community based on risk and need.
By CANDACE CHASE
The Daily Inter Lake
The shutdown of a major vaccine provider has health officials scrambling to redistribute scant supplies of flu shots across Northwest Montana.
Elaine Sedlack of the Flathead City-County Health Department began surveying private health-care providers Wednesday to determine how many doses exist and how many high risk residents need vaccinations.
Vaccine left after Tuesday's mass flu clinic will get distributed within the community based on risk and need.
The department administered 2,932 shots Tuesday, leaving a little over 500 doses from its first shipment.
Sedlack said 3,500 additional doses were expected at the end of October, but may get redirected by the national shortage.
The department was unable to get through to the vaccine supplier Wednesday for an update on the next shipment.
Sedlack recommended that high-risk people who need a flu shot contact their health-care provider or leave their name and phone number at the department by calling 751-8110.
North Valley Hospital was among the local providers shut out of vaccine by the three-month shutdown of Chiron by the British government. Chiron makes half the supply for the United States.
Maura Fields of North Valley Hospital said the hospital had received 100 doses from the county health department and some additional doses from Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Those doses will go first to hospital workers involved in direct patient care in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
"All the health-care entities are working closely to coordinate this effort," Fields said. "It's been a surprise to all of us."
Lake County health officials were left with no adult vaccine as flu season approaches.
The county announced a hold on its senior citizen flu shot clinic Wednesday because it expects to receive no adult flu shots for the near future.
In a press release, Lake County officials asked private providers to give priority to the highest risk people for their remaining flu vaccine supplies. These people as designated by the Centers for Disease Control guidelines include:
. Children ages 6 to 23 months.
. Adults over 65.
. People from age 2 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.
. Women who will be pregnant during flu season.
. Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
. Children 6 months to 18 years old on chronic aspirin therapy.
. Health-care workers who perform direct patient care.
Lake County has a few doses of special vaccine called VFC to give first to people 36 months to 18 years old with medical conditions that increase their risk for flu complications.
Children ages 6 months to 35 months will receive second-priority consideration for the remaining VFC doses.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center and Lincoln County's health department were among the fortunate providers who didn't order their vaccine from Chiron.
However, Sandy Jackson with Lincoln County said the shortage could have a serious impact. Only 300 of about 1,300 doses have arrived there. She expressed concern for the many people with asbestosis and other health problems in the area.
"Only a couple of private providers had their orders in," she said. "We're all in trouble."
Jackson said the health department has had to cancel appointments and clinics set up to administer flu shots.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center has received 1,200 doses ordered for its medical personnel, according to spokesman Jim Oliverson. He said the medical center also expects to receive the doses ordered for its occupational health contracts.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.