Contributed by Carla Sharetto| 19 December, 2004 14:51 GMT
Many people passed up flu shots due to long lines or the expectation that no vaccine would be available. Now authorities are worried that some vaccine will go to waste.
Although the U.S. has not come up with nearly enough flu vaccine to meet the expected needs of the population for the current season, authorities now are beginning to worry that some of the existing short supply will go to waste. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its list of priority groups in an effort to avert that outcome and provided new advice to state and local health officials.The agency's revised recommendations are based on the availability of influenza vaccine in state or local health jurisdictions. Where vaccine supply is judged "adequate to meet demand," CDC now says the priority groups for inactivated influenza vaccine should include adults age 50-64 and out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of persons in high-risk groups.
While some state and local health officials have relaxed restrictions in response to the CDC recommendations, others are sticking to their original plans targeting high-risk populations.
High-Priority Targets Not Getting Vaccinated
People in the high-risk groups for serious complications from influenza include persons aged 65 years or older, children aged 6 months to 2 years, pregnant women, and people of any age who have certain underlying health conditions, such as heart- or lung-disease patients, transplant recipients, or persons with AIDS.
In addition to those high-risk groups, CDC previously recommended flu vaccine be given to residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy, healthcare workers involved in direct patient care, and out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months.
"In most communities we're still targeting vaccine to the people in the highest priority groups," says Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the CDC. "The challenge is that in some places, health departments and private providers currently do not have enough demand from people in those priority groups. We don't want those doses to go to waste, so some states are expanding to make good use of those doses. The ACIP's recommendation is consistent with this approach."
High-Risk Groups: Get Your Shot Now
The ACIP suggested that health departments and health care providers implement the expanded recommendations on January 3, 2005, to provide more time for unvaccinated persons in current priority groups to seek vaccination. In addition, for those who need it, this date will also enable health officials to plan for expanded efforts to reach the new priority groups.
"Mid-season estimates of vaccination rates are below rates from last season for adults in priority groups. We urge persons in priority groups to continue to seek vaccination," said Dr. Gerberding. "If you're 65 or older or you have any kind of chronic condition, or you're a healthcare worker who takes care of patients directly, or if you're pregnant, you really should get a flu shot this year, and we're working hard to make sure it's available in your community."
The Committee also passed a resolution for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program that expands the groups of eligible children to receive VFC influenza vaccine to include VFC-eligible children who are household contacts of persons in high-risk groups. This expansion of VFC is effective today.
So Far, So Good
Influenza activity has been low so far this season. However, it is still early and the timing and level of influenza activity is unpredictable. The level of reported influenza activity can change at any time.
For more information about influenza and influenza vaccination visit the CDC website. |
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