Flu shot clinics seek ill, elderly
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As the flu season officially begins, health officials are asking residents to wait a few weeks for their shots so that those in high-risk categories can get inoculated first.
The Ann Arbor-based Michigan Visiting Nurses will offer flu vaccination clinics beginning Monday in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Health departments in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties have received some vaccine and more is on the way, but the departments won’t be operating clinics until at least mid-October.
The shortages of flu vaccines that plagued Americans last year shouldn’t be a problem this winter. Still, health officials want to reach those most at risk. Last year’s shortage was caused by a British manufacturer producing only half as many doses of vaccine as it had promised because the British government suspended its license.
That shortage set off a panic and sent health officials scrambling for a way to assure that those most in need got the scarce vaccine.
There should be plenty of vaccine this year, said Michael J. Morgan, deputy health officer for the Wayne County Department of Public Health. There are around 53 million doses available in the United States, with none of the disruptions from manufacturers that caused the panic last year. “We don’t anticipate a shortage,” Morgan said. “We’re all going to get everything we ordered.”
To alleviate some of the flu scare, the vaccine is being released in waves, with federal officials asking that only high-risk patients—mainly the elderly and sick—be given shots in October.
Others can receive inoculations beginning in November.
The flu season generally peaks in January. In a typical year, about 36,000 people die from flu-related illnesses, including 1,000 in Michigan. Most of the deaths are among the elderly.
Flu shots are already being given by private doctors in Metro Detroit, and county health departments are ramping up for the annual rush.
“We have a small shipment now,” Morgan said. “We’re expecting another shipment next week. Once we get the second shipment, we’ll open walk-in clinics for high-risk” patients.
Those schedules are still up in the air. Wayne County expects to open its first clinic Oct. 18 but isn’t announcing sites yet. Oakland and Macomb counties don’t have dates set yet.
Between 10 percent and 20 percent of Americans contract the flu each year.
Symptoms can include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.
Bouts with the flu usually last 2-7 days.
The best advice Morgan can offer residents is to not panic.
“There will be plenty of vaccine and plenty of places to get it,” Morgan said.
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