Flu-vaccine doses first available to those at high risk

While influenza can occur year-round, "flu season" is looming. Health experts expect flu vaccine to be available this year for anyone who wants it, but they will offer it first to those at high risk of complications — just in case.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked that the first doses of inactive vaccine (the kind in the "flu shot") be given only to those vulnerable populations until Oct. 24.

Flu cases typically peak sometime between January and March. Each year in the United States between 5 percent and 20 percent of the population is infected by flu. On average, more than 200,000 Americans are hospitalized with flu complications and about 36,000 nationwide die.

Last year one of two manufacturers, Chiron, had to drop out of producing the vaccine, creating an initial shortage. By the time more vaccine was available, late in the flu season, most people didn't bother, and there was ultimately a surplus. Utah fared pretty well in the shortage, says Utah Department of Health immunization program director Linda Abel, because most of the organizations that give flu shots had ordered from Aventis Pasteur (now Sanofi Pasteur).

This year, Sanofi Pasteur, Chiron and GlaxoSmithKline are all producing flu shots, in addition to the availability of FluMist, made by MedImmune Vaccines. And local health experts and clinic operators say some of the vaccine doses, which are shipped in phases, have already arrived.

But it's important that people check with local health departments if they plan to use their public health clinics. Some are changing how they offer the vaccines this year. Salt Lake Valley Health Department, for instance, will only provide flu shots during three specific Saturday flu shot clinics. Anyone showing up at a public health clinic on another day hoping to get the vaccine will be sorely disappointed, said Pam Davenport, department spokeswoman.

It takes two weeks for the vaccine to reach its full effectiveness, Abel said. And health officials are encouraging senior citizens who have not had a pneumonia shot to get one this year. At the same time, they're also telling caregivers who are responsible for elderly people who are perhaps confused or can't speak for themselves to do a little research and find out when and if that person has had a pneumonia shot, which is good for about 10 years.

Healthy people 5 to 49 who are not pregnant can opt for the nasal version of the vaccine, FluMist, without any time restrictions, although it's not approved for people who are severely immunocompromised or those under 6 months old, Abel said. Those administering FluMist will screen out people who shouldn't receive it, she said.