For immediate release: October 6, 2004 (04-119)

Contacts: Kate Lynch, Communications Office 360-236-4072
                  Deanna Whitman, Communications Office 360-236-4022

OLYMPIA ¾ The Department of Health is urging health care providers to prioritize their flu vaccine supplies for the highest risk patients. This week Chiron Corporation lost its license to produce vaccine. The resulting flu vaccine shortage has lead to a call to reserve the vaccine for those who are most vulnerable. The recommendation follows guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Department of Health urges healthy adults to help ensure that the most vulnerable are protected by foregoing flu vaccination this season. The state is also asking private sector flu vaccine providers to adopt the CDC recommendations.

Meanwhile, state-distributed pediatric flu vaccine for kids 6-23 months should not be affected by the shortage. The state began distributing available pediatric flu vaccine to local health departments this week. People can be confident in the safety of the pediatric flu vaccine supply the Department of Health is distributing. Chiron has not distributed any flu vaccine in the U.S.

Influenza can strike anyone, but it is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly, who are at greater risk for complications from the flu. Every year an average of 36,000 people in the United States die from flu-related illness and 200,000 people are hospitalized. This underscores the need to give priority to those most at risk of serious health effects.

The Immunization Program Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/flu_updates.htm) provides additional information on flu vaccine. The recommendations are also available on CDC Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/).

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