Due to increased awareness and heightened flu fear caused by the outbreak of the H1N1, or swine flu, virus, the nation is facing a serious flu shot shortage, both of the H1N1 vaccine and of the seasonal flu vaccine.http://www.stpns.net/view_article.html?articleId=106532610687131913183 Clinics around the nation have been postponed or delayed, and experts are requesting that those not currently in a high-risk category for the flu consider allowing those that are to have first access to the remaining vaccines.http://www.wbaltv.com/health/21300552/detail.html. Distributors and manufacturers of the seasonal flu vaccine say that the flu shot supply will be replenished in time for the main seasonal flu season, typically November and December.http://www.wbaltv.com/health/21300552/detail.html
History
Intense media coverage of the swine flu virus has caused greatly increased demand for the seasonal flu vaccine. Experts cite that in normal years, less than 100 million Americans get a flu shot. So far in 2009, 77 million of the anticipated 114 million total seasonal flu vaccines have already been distributed.http://public-healthcare-issues.suite101.com/article.cfm/nationwide_flu_shot_shortage At the same time, major manufacturers of the vaccine have been mandated by the U.S. government to concentrate on making the H1N1 vaccine, leaving a large gap in the availability of the seasonal flu vaccine. This has resulted in a flu shot shortage that is rapidly expanding nationwide.
References
Fast Facts
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Date
The shortage is expected to continue until November
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Location
Nationwide
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Fact 3
Members of high risk groups should still try to get the flu shot, despit the shortage. These groups include pregnant women, children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years, those 50 years and older, as well as people with chronic illnesses and their caregivers.
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Fact 4
Experts urge people to prevent flu with frequent hand washing, staying home from work or school when you feel sick, avoiding contact with sick people and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze.
