Last spring, swine flu dominated the headlines, swelling fears nationwide and leading many to view any ordinary cough or sneeze with a hint of suspicion. And while swine flu and the old-fashioned seasonal flu are not the same disease, the attention given to H1N1 pushed the virus to the forefront of everyone's minds.
Given those circumstances, it's not at all surprising that more people than usual flocked to doctors' offices and clinics to receive a flu shot designed to protect against seasonal flu. It's disappointing, then, that flu manufacturers were unable to properly plan for the increase in demand and accommodate those who want to get a flu shot.
This is especially a problem at colleges. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that those under 24 should be vaccinated due to their living situations. Schools, including Penn, are in an unfortunate bind - they have run out of flu vaccines and are leaving a community of thousands vulnerable to infection. We expect better planning from leaders in the health community and hope to see the vaccines at Penn and at schools across the country restocked soon.
