I was just at the doctor's office two days ago. I asked him for a flu shot, and he said, "It's not a good time for that." That confused the heck
out of me.
story.news.yahoo.com
DENVER - While officials across the nation are urging healthy adults and schoolchildren to skip their annual flu shot, parents are mulling their
options. The news that British regulators have shut down a major flu-shot supplier carries particular concern in Colorado, which was the epicenter of
last year's flu season with 12,885 reported cases and the deaths of 12 children.
With 46 million doses now unavailable, the government says the 54 million flu shots left from a rival firm should be reserved for youngsters ages 6-23
months, people 65 or older, anyone living with babies younger than 6 months and others in high-risk groups.
The shutdown of flu vaccine production at Chiron Corp. has slashed supplies across the nation. Public health clinics in Georgia and Pennsylvania will
lose nearly a third of their doses. Minnesota canceled flu clinics for state employees and set aside vaccines for those at high risk.
"Worst-case scenario, we will have probably more patients being hospitalized with pneumonia," said Dr. Wellington Liu, medical director of Kateri
Medical Residence in New York City, a nursing home with 440 long-term patients.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
When I got my health insurance last year, I went to town with vaccinations (flu and pneumonia), as I work in a non-ventilated environment. I was
adamant about finally getting a flu shot (I like the stickers they give me, lol). This year, it was as though I was asking for a cancer vaccination.
The Doc acted as if it hadn't even been invented yet. Worst case scenario is pneumonia? Oh...that's all???
Dot.
edited for the pneumonia part.
[edit on 7-10-2004 by dotgov101]