2008 Woodie Awards
Shot Shortage Affects Campus
Wellness Center Recieves Limited Vaccinations This Flu Season
Jessica Havery
Issue date: 10/14/04 Section: News
A severe shortage in flu vaccinations has prompted medical officials in the Wellness Center to prioritize the eligible recipients of this year's flu shots, said Director of Wellness Services Susan Skalsky.
According to a CNN News report, the record shortage, just before the start of flu season, was caused by the unexpected shut down of Chiron Corporation factory in England. Chiron Corporation, a major manufacturer of the vaccine, was expected to produce 46 million doses to the United States.
Without the doses that medical facilities across the nation had been anticipating, the government has urged medical facilities to ration the doses they have received, Skalsky said.
"We ordered and received 350 doses of the vaccine, up to 100 more than last year, to distribute to the campus community. We received what we ordered because we ordered the vaccine during the summer," Skalsky said.
According to the Center for Disease Control, vaccines should be reserved for adults over the age of 65, infants and toddlers between the ages of six and 23 months, healthcare workers involved in direct patient care, women who expect to be pregnant during flu season, and people aged 2 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions.
"As a result of the shortage, [the center] has a lot more callers because people are afraid that there won't be enough vaccine for everyone," Skalsky said.
"I don't think the flu shortage will affect college students because younger people generally have a better immune system
According to a CNN News report, the record shortage, just before the start of flu season, was caused by the unexpected shut down of Chiron Corporation factory in England. Chiron Corporation, a major manufacturer of the vaccine, was expected to produce 46 million doses to the United States.
Without the doses that medical facilities across the nation had been anticipating, the government has urged medical facilities to ration the doses they have received, Skalsky said.
"We ordered and received 350 doses of the vaccine, up to 100 more than last year, to distribute to the campus community. We received what we ordered because we ordered the vaccine during the summer," Skalsky said.
According to the Center for Disease Control, vaccines should be reserved for adults over the age of 65, infants and toddlers between the ages of six and 23 months, healthcare workers involved in direct patient care, women who expect to be pregnant during flu season, and people aged 2 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions.
"As a result of the shortage, [the center] has a lot more callers because people are afraid that there won't be enough vaccine for everyone," Skalsky said.
"I don't think the flu shortage will affect college students because younger people generally have a better immune system