Flu shots in short supply

By Chhun Sun

If you feel a cold coming on or want a flu shot to help prevent you from getting sick, think before you head to the Health Center, because you may not qualify.

Flu shots will be available starting Monday until Oct. 29—or until the supply on hand is exhausted. But the vaccine will available only to those who meet the high-risk criteria.

This comes one week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta announced there is a shortage of vaccines for the 2004-2005 influenza season.

“Students have come in and asked about the shortage,” said Stephanie Morris, a health educator at University Health and Psychological Services.

“But most people were just wondering about the status at the Health Center. So most of them understand.”

According to the CDC, high-risk patients are: children ages 2 to 6; adults 65 and older; persons ages 2 to 64 with underlying chronic medical conditions; all women who may be pregnant during influenza season; residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; children 6 months to 18 years old on chronic aspirin therapy; health-care workers with direct patient care; and out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children 6 and under.

But Morris said don’t be discouraged by the criteria, because “if you feel sick, come into the health center anyway.

“We want everyone to stay healthy, and that’s our goal,” she said.