November 4, 2005
Flu Vaccine Coming Soon to Health-care Providers
State health officials said Friday they expect adequate supplies of flu vaccine this year, despite problems early in the season with uneven distribution in some Montana communities.
"Flu vaccine is slowly making its way to county health departments, doctors' offices, and hospitals," said Joyce Burgett, head of the Immunization Program at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). "Some vaccine manufacturers are still shipping their orders, and we expect a significant portion of vaccine to arrive in Montana in November, December, and January."
County health departments, hospitals, nursing homes, and health-care providers ordered their vaccine last spring in preparation for this flu season, Burgett said. But some have yet to receive it.
"There is a problem with distribution of vaccine supplies in some communities in Montana and across other states as well," she said.
Availability can depend on which manufacturer a health-care provider ordered from; some are shipping their supplies faster than others. Another factor may be the relatively small size of the Montana market, she said.
"Some large chain stores and pharmacies have already received their vaccine and have been able to offer flu shots," Burgett said. "Do understand that those doses were received under large independent contracts with the manufacturer. This is a business decision made between the private contractor and the manufacturer."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70 million doses of flu vaccine are expected to be available in the United States this year.
Burgett recommended that Montanans watch their local newspapers for flu vaccine clinics or periodically check with their physician or local health department to find out about vaccine availability.
"We've been fortunate in that we haven't had a known case of flu in Montana yet this year," she said. "Generally, flu cases peak in Montana in January or February, so it's not too late to get your flu shot in November, December, or even January. In the meantime, there are other measures you can take to protect yourself from the flu."
Burgett recommended:
Washing your hands frequently, particularly when you come home from an outing;
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve;
- Staying home from work, school, and large events when you're sick, to prevent the spread of viral illnesses to others;
- Eating well-balanced meals;
- Getting enough rest; and
- Getting a flu shot, as soon as it's available.
For more information about flu shots, contact your local health department or the State Immunization Program at 406-444-5580.
Page last updated: 01/30/2012
