Oh dear, there is going to be a shortage of flu vaccine.

Mexarican · Oct 5, 2004

Tell me what you know about it. How did it happen? What will the effects be as far as patients and nurses. Who will get what there is of it? Personally I remember the flu outbreak of 1999/2000 very well and I fear another like it.

How many years of a "shortage" do we have to see before the actual supply is no longer a shortage but the actual "regular" supply. I say we just give up the term "shortage" and just say that whatever is made available is the regular supply. :rolleyes:

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 5, 2004

Apparantly the British company was just shut down, and they make the largest supply of the vaccines. According to the news, only the frail, elderly and most vulnerable population will be receiving the vaccine.

Here we go again.

Not that I ever take it.. but for those who do and want it, I wish it was available for them. :stone

mscsrjhm · Oct 5, 2004

I love my flu shots. Used to get sick every year.

Oh no, I can already feel the fever starting!!!

oramar · Oct 5, 2004

This is starting to sound like a scandal.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 5, 2004

yes it does smack of scandal to me. It's disgraceful that year after year we can't have enough vaccine for everyone. I find it more than a bit suspicious.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2004

the news reported that half of the USA vaccine comes from a British company whose flu vaccines for this season were contaminated. There is not enough time to make sufficient amounts for everyone to get them. If your facility does not have it they probably won't get it, or will get small amounts for high risk people.

Stevie · Oct 5, 2004

:uhoh21:

Tell me what you know about it. How did it happen? What will the effects be as far as patients and nurses. Who will get what there is of it? Personally I remember the flu outbreak of 1999/2000 very well and I fear another like it.

Apparantly the shipping process was just underway when British Health Officials suspended the Co. maunfacturing license in London, due to a contaminated batch of Fluvarin. It's sounds likely that the vaccine will be given to the very young, very old, and the immunocomprimised before everyone else. Did not hear anything about health care workers being a priority at this point. The U.S. has a manufacturer as well, so this may a temporary setback. ( Let's hope!)