Flu vaccine shortage may stem from shift in production schedule

Reported seasonal flu vaccine shortages at the Student Health Service stem from this year’s shift in the regular vaccine production schedule in order to combat H1N1 influenza, according to SHS director Evelyn Wiener.

Seasonal flu vaccine does not typically ship until October, Wiener said, but SHS has already immunized more students this year than it has in previous years.

“We were more than pleased when we were told that we would get our first shipment and our first shipment arrived on schedule and we started to move it as quickly as we could,” Wiener said.

She added that the shortened production schedule has led to delays in inspection and delivery.

SHS currently has nasal mist vaccine available, as well as a reserve of injectable vaccine for those students who are medically unable to receive the nasal mist vaccine. Wiener said SHS expects to receive more injectable flu vaccine soon.

SHS typically orders enough vaccine to cover less than one-fifth of the student population, though its vaccine order has steadily increased over the last few years.

This year, SHS placed an order for 3,500 doses of injectable flu vaccine and 500 doses of nasal mist vaccine, with an option to order more nasal mist vaccine if necessary.

The SHS vaccine order was increased in anticipation of higher demand due to the H1N1 pandemic. In the 2008-2009 school year, approximately 2,500 students received injectable flu vaccines — up from 1,700 students in 2007-2008.

SHS has been working steadily to increase the number of vaccine appointments per day since beginning vaccination earlier this month, Wiener said.

Students should book an appointment in advance rather than just arriving at the clinic and asking for a vaccination.

According to Wiener, SHS has dealt well with the increased demand. In September 2008, SHS received a total of 1,300 immunization visits. As of September 22 of this year, SHS had immunized 1,800 students.

At this point, most vaccine production in the United States has switched over to H1N1 vaccine, Wiener said. Most of the seasonal flu vaccine which will be used this year has already been manufactured.

Wiener also warned against views of the prominent antiviral drug Tamiflu as a “panacea,” saying that the drug shortens illness by “maybe a day” and provides a “modest benefit at best.”

Students with flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue are urged to remain at home and call the SHS flu helpline at 215-746-3535 for further information.

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