Scramble for vaccine continues as flu season intensifies
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Missed flu-shot day at the office last fall? And all those "get vaccinated" ads? A scramble for shots is under way as late-comers seek protection from a miserable flu strain already spreading through much of the country.
Federal health officials said Friday that there is still some flu vaccine available and it's not too late to benefit from it. But people may have to call around to find a clinic with shots still on the shelf, or wait a few days for a new shipment.
"We're hearing of spot shortages," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Portland, about one in ten people going to the doctor is sick with the flu. The CDC's weekly report says flu activity is moderate in Oregon and Washington.
Experts say flu shots start protecting you about two weeks after you get the vaccine, and you build up the highest immunity after two months.
Kids are more likely to get the flu than adults because their immune systems are still developing. In Oregon, only physicians are allowed to give flu vaccines to kids under 11 years old. Pharmacists can give the shots to anyone older than 11.
Some questions and answers about flu vaccines:
Q: Are we running out of vaccine?
A: It's January — we shouldn't have a lot left. The traditional time to get vaccinated is in the fall, so that people are protected before influenza starts spreading.
Indeed, manufacturers already have shipped nearly 130 million doses to doctors' offices, drugstores and wholesalers, out of the 135 million doses they had planned to make for this year's flu season. At least 112 million have been used so far.
The nation's largest manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, said Friday that it still has supplies of two specialty vaccines, a high-dose shot for seniors, and an under-the-skin shot for certain adults, available for immediate shipment. But it also is working to eke out a limited supply of its traditional shots — some doses that it initially hadn't packaged into syringes, said spokesman Michael Szumera. They should be available late this month.
And MedImmune, the maker of the nasal spray vaccine FluMist, said it has 620,000 extra doses available.
Q: Can't they just make more?
A: No. Flu vaccine is complicated to brew, with supplies for each winter made months in advance and at the numbers expected to sell. Although health officials recommend a yearly flu vaccination for nearly everybody, last year 52 percent of children and just 39 percent of adults were immunized. Most years, leftover doses have to be thrown out.
Q: Should I still hunt for a vaccine?
A: It does take two weeks for full protection to kick in. Still, health officials say it's a good idea to be vaccinated even this late, especially for older people, young children and anyone with medical conditions such as heart or lung diseases that put them at high risk of dangerous flu complications. Flu season does tend to be worst in January and February, but it can run through March.
Q: I heard that a new flu strain is spreading. Does the vaccine really work?
A: Flu strains constantly evolve, the reason that people need an updated vaccine every year. But the CDC says this year's is a good match to the types that are circulating, including a new kind of the tough H3N2 strain. That family tends to be harsher than other flu types — and health officials warned last fall that it was coming, and meant this winter would likely be tougher than last year's flu season, the mildest on record.
Q: But don't some people get vaccinated and still get sick?
A: Flu vaccine never is 100 percent effective, and unfortunately it tends to protect younger people better than older ones. But the CDC released a study Friday showing that so far this year, the vaccine appears 62 percent effective, meaning it's working about as well as it has in past flu seasons.
While that may strike some people as low, Frieden said it's the best protection available. "It's a glass 62 percent full," he said. "It's well worth the effort."
Q: What else can I do?
A: Wash your hands often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Viruses can spread by hand, not just through the air. Also, cough in your elbow, not your hand. When you're sick, protect others by staying home.
And people who are in those high-risk groups should call a doctor if they develop symptoms, added CDC spokesman Tom Skinner. They might be prescribed antiviral medication, which works best if given within the first 48 hours of symptoms.
KATU's Dan Cassuto contributed to this story.
OK, which is it, flu intensifying, or decreasing? Or is all this just media hype? Another story on the KATU news page here seems to indicate that the flu incidence is declining. One thing's for sure, if 1 in 10 people visiting doctor's offices have flu symptoms, that is the last place I'd visit right now for something trivial, unless of course I'd like to get the flu also.  Â
This media blitz is surely going to pad the pockets of some (already rich) pharmicuetical company CEO's, not to mention the plush pay back incentives medical offices are receiving for scariing the daylights out of everyone. I am such a skeptic. Precautions such as washing your hands, drink water, take vitamins, eat, sleep and excercise is far better that a needle full of crap any day. It's all about money, not your health.
I was watching the news the other day, all they could talk about was flu, flu, flu, flu, flu.....then went to commercial. Â Hmmmm what was the first commercial that came up? Â Tamiflu, a flu vaccine!
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Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm....
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Try eating better, getting enough rest, wash your hands and your desk and start taking vitamin D every day.
Although I am currently recovering from the stomach flu, I get the shot every year. I get sick less than half the amount I use. It's true that it doe not protect from every flu virus out there but it does protect from some and my belief is that it strengthens your immunity in general. But just like everything, each human body is different and so it's not a cure all.Â
 @momo I wonder what makes the difference? I can't remember when I had the flu last. If I even had it, it was as mild or milder than a cold. I've never had a flu shot. If I was taking one each year and still getting sick (even half as bad) I'd start to wonder if something else was going on with me.
I have a compromised immune system after being diagnosed with a chronic digestive disorder about 7 yrs ago and have been urged by the team of doctors overseeing my case to get the shot every year since. Â I'm so thankful I work from home now and have limited exposure to the "outside world" because even tho I got that shot every year? I still got the flu in varying degrees of severity and wound up hospitalized twice as a result. Â A healthy diet, attention to hand washing and being well rested help to fight it. Â Good luck to all!
Umm way to go Katu, yesterday you had an article about how flu season was over? Now its getting worse? Make up your minds please or stop reporting -__-.
 @Trainwife  They're just having fun toying with the ignorant masses.
All these fruit loops that think that the flu shot will keep them from getting the flu are mistaken, and will be sadly disappointed.
 @axpman ~  Flu viruses are like electronics... the minute you get a vaccine shot, the strain you're getting the shot for is obsolete, and the new germs are already out there..!  :-)Â
 @margay1  @axpman Now, now you two, Omama is taxing each flu shot .75 cents to help pay down the national debt as he keeps spending. Do your patriotic duty and get one - I did and it feels like someone hit my arm with a baseball bat so come on and share the pain, OK??
 @boned I'm no whiz at finding everything I search for on Google, but I couldn't find where the bill including that tax was ever signed into law.  It passed the Senate but died in the House of Representatives.  Any link?
 @Sundowner Fact. I cannot make-up something like that....
 @boned  @margay1  @axpman Was the tax/Obama thing sarcasm or a joke?  If it was, haha? Â
I have not been sick with the flue for over 15 years, I didn't even get sick when I volunteered to get a free vaccine.
I am not sure hwy I have not been sick form with the flue for 28 .
When the Dr. said it was 28 years since I been sick last I was like say what.
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And there are some who seem to get sick at a drop of a hat. None of us will ever know wh some people go through life with out being touched by the flue and other will die from it.
I do know that this is serious. In truth the last time I was sick was when I was a teen , I spiked 102 temp and was sick on and off for 3 months. Finally my system got over what ever was invading it. I was about to be admitted into the E.R. but the anti Puking pills helped settle my system down..trust me that was scary. Since after that I have not been sick..To this day I have no clue as to what was in a canister I stumbled across in the old dump site that we kids played in. Not even sure if that was what made me sick or not.
All I know is after becoming ill I have not had any flue since then. And 28 years with out the flue? How the heck is that luck?
 @lee986321 I think there's a balance in nature. Some people have body related illnesses, while others battle mental illness. Lucky for you, you don't suffer from both.
 @lee986321 If you don't have a chimney then it is not luck that you have not had to deal with the flue.Â
 @lee986321 I have to deal with the flue all the time. It seems that every season I'm dealing with it, but then I've never been a fan of creosote.
 @JTesla   Be careful there, JTesla -- flue fires can cause fever and the accompanying....wait for it....flu, aka Flue Flu.  Now I'm going to cut-and-paste lee's comment into Google Translate and see which language it's in.....and I think that canister she bumped into in the old dump site (wasn't that a Nancy Drew book?  "Canister In The Old Dump Site"?) was filled with those nasty brain-eating parasites.  Â
 @B Smizzle  @JTesla @badcat Maybe we have a new descriptive term:  ignorant word salad.  And no, I'm not interested in tossing it.
 @Sundowner  @JTesla Is "ignorant" a language?
 @Sundowner Best description I've read, in response to Lee's posts: "word salad". Hilarious! Wish I could claim credit for that gem. =)
Folks sure do love to over react. All those people waiting in line for a flu shot are probably exposing themselves to the flu virus just standing there. They'd be much better off staying at home, away from the public as much as possible. But, people are like sheep or lemmings.
 @QuandoQuandoQuando You're so right.  We should stay home away from the public.  Except for that darned working thing and buying groceries and kids going to school and running into the bank and living our lives.  Pull up your big boy/girl pants, get a shot and continue on.  This ain't rocket science.
 @QuandoQuandoQuando "Shlemmings"
 @lee986321  @QuandoQuandoQuando ~  Oh, GOOD one, Lee..!  Truly one of your best..!  :-)
If you're sick, please stay home!! It makes me crazy when people come into my place of business and they're coughing all over and touching things with dirty tissues in their hands. No reason to be spreading your germs all over, and I definitely don't need you to share them with me. Go to the pharmacy if you must, then rent a movie and go home until you're no longer contagious!!
@badcat That's what alot of folks would rather do, but some work for tyrrants who know there are plenty of other people looking for a job. While it's obvious that sick employees make the whole shop sick, they don't care. You either show up, or update your resume.
 @Spook89  I certainly understand having to work when you're sick -- and that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid myself. As I said, I hate when sick people come into my place of business with absolutely no concern that they're going to infect me. As important as I feel my job is, there is no reason that someone can't wait a week until they're healthy to come in for my services. Sick workers I have sympathy for. Sick clients need to stay the hell home!!
 @lee986321  @badcat  @Spook89 "Have you heard of carriers"
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Yes, for people like you who don't work and suckle off the governments tit, we (the workers) carry your added weight on society by paying taxes that you get as "income"!
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"he carriers.. they are not sick, they do not look sick, but they are the gift that keeps giving "
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Yes, because people like you won't go out and get a job, we have no choice but to keep "giving" and "giving"
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Also if your flue is acting up, you can buy another one at Home Depot or you may want to call a chimney sweep as it might be a build up of creosote.....
 @Sundowner Thank you so much! I forgot my decoder ring at work today after that horrible lady coughed on everything. Meanwhile I've been busy trying to magnetize my flue using the schematics that came with my "sola lantern" (see the article on Death Star). It's been rough going, I tell you. =)
 @badcat  @lee986321 You flue magnet, you.  Since you're an inhabitant of our dirt claud (raines?), you need to start listening to the wisdom bequeathed to us by lee:  "....if people need something they need something get over it".  As she said very clearly, "How the heck is that luck?".  You're welcome.Â
 @lee986321  "Virus" -- just the word that leaps to mind when I think of you, Lee. And yes, you are sick.
 @badcat  @Spook89 Your acting as if your a flue magnet or something.. Hey if people need something they need something get over it. You live on this giant Dirt Claud , Called Earth, You will get sick, I will get sick any one will get sick and spread it. makes no matter who they are, Viruses do what they do best, adapt and seek a favorable Host to infect in hopes to replicate, change, and go on with there nasty little work. Unfortunately we need these things to help our immune systems .
Oh and just because I am not sick..Still doesn't mean I am not contagious, you have heard of "carriers" those are the most dangerous of all.. The carriers.. they are not sick, they do not look sick, but they are the gift that keeps giving .
@badcat Thank You!! That makes me nuts, And you usually look like Hell, why woould you want anyone to see you.
No vaccines for me.
OK, which one is it? First the media tells us the high point of the flu has been reached, now is talk of the flue intensifying. Is the media flu-less?Â
 @jpk ~  Sure seems that way sometimes..!   :-)
My suggestion: stick to a healthy diet and get the right amount of rest. Will this be 100% effective in preventing you from getting the flu? No. What it will do is keep your immune system in proper working order so your body is better able to fight off the virus. It may also lessen the symptoms should you get the flu.