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Subscribe to RSSThe nation’s nasty flu season has created a sudden surge in demand for vaccine, leaving some sites across the country short on the shots that can prevent illness -- or make it a little less miserable.
There’s still enough vaccine to go around, but people may have to make a few calls to get it, said Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We understand there are some spot shortages here and there,” Skinner said. “People have taken note that we’re experiencing a moderate to severe season.”
That message was echoed by Walgreens, one of the nation’s largest drugstore suppliers of flu vaccine.
“Due to increased demand for flu shots in recent weeks, select locations may currently be experiencing shortages in supply of flu vaccine,” said Robert Elfinger, a company spokesman.
Walgreens is working on ensuring a steady supply and plans to be able to continue offering flu shots through the season.
Sanofi Pasteur, which provides about half of the flu vaccine in the U.S., told NBC News on Thursday that it had sold out of four of its six formulations of its Fluzone seasonal flu vaccine because of late-season demand for vaccines. The company still has other vaccines available for adults and children, officials said.
On Twitter, some flu-wary patrons have been posting their frustrations:
“Heard the flu shot is spreading like never before, had to call 5 places to find the flu shot in stock. I am vaccinated,” one shot-seeker wrote.
As of Jan. 4, more than 128 million doses of flu vaccine had been distributed across the country, according to latest CDC figures. That’s out of 135 million produced for this season.
There’s no word yet on how many people actually have been vaccinated; by the end of November, about 112 million people in the U.S. had received shots, but that number likely has risen sharply.
That’s because this year’s flu season started early and includes a virus that causes unusually severe illness. Flu has now spread to more than 80 percent of the country, the CDC said.
Related: Are you worried about missing work if you or your kids get the flu?
The agency will issue new figures on Friday, but latest reports indicated that more than 2,200 people had been hospitalized since October and 18 children had died.
This year’s flu vaccine is a good match for the circulating viruses, CDC has said. It covers two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B. However, a second B strain is not covered and may be accounting for 8 percent to 10 percent of illnesses, infectious disease experts said.
One good way to find flu vaccine nearby is through the HealthMap Vaccine Finder. The site includes some 40,000 locations across the U.S. Users can plug in their addresses or ZIP codes and find which sites are offering vaccine.
There’s still time to get the vaccine, which can prevent illness – or at least shorten its duration and severity. It takes two weeks for immunity to build up after the shot, so health officials are encouraging people to take action now.
There’s really no shortage of the shots, just some local disruptions in supply, said Erin Fox, manager of the Drug Information Service at the University of Utah, which tracks drug shortages.
“Tons of flu vaccine still available!” Fox says.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Bad flu season worsens as Boston declares emergency
- Early flu season accelerates; no peak yet
- How to protect yourself from the flu? Wash your hands
Leave a Comment:
they dont work
Big Pharma, government, and media in bed together to sell drugs using scare tactics. Pure marketing!
Flu shots are usually free. I got mine free when I was at the doctor's office on another matter.
And they do work. I don't see a lot of Polio-stricken children in iron lungs nowadays.
Clotho,
So, I'm assuming that you're associated with the pharmaceuticals industry to make such a ridiculous statement.
Flu shots are not "free". Somebody pays for them even if you don't.
Also, polio is a specific viral strain and has nothing whatsoever to do with the ever-mutating flu viruses.
Either you're incredibly ignorant, or you believe that everyone else is.
I am here to confirm that this is a "nasty" flu. I don't know how I caught it but I did and I have been struggling with it for few days now. Do everything possible to avoid it because once you catch it you will feel like sh.t, just like I am right now.
"Also, polio is a specific viral strain and has nothing whatsoever to do with the ever-mutating flu viruses."
Really? Then you have no basic understanding of how virology works. There are some virii (like influenza) that mutate yearly. There's others (like polio, pneumococcus and HSV) that do not.
Regardless, they work on EXACTLY the same principle. The viral antigen provokes an immune response including memory cells which allow the body to specifically target the infectious agent.
I love how you non-science educated people continually try to "educate" us. The Dunning-Kruger phenomenon well in effect here.
.....must be because of global warming. Perhaps, if we confiscate everyone's guns by dismantling the constitution in a manner that bypasses the legislative branch of our government, limit the size of our soft drinks, spend another Trillion dollars and handout free birth control will fix it.....
Bruce,
You essentially verified EXACTLY what I stated, yet you say I'm mistaken.
Which is it, guy? Make up your mind.
Maybe you just like to spout off to make yourself feel important? If so, then have at it.
What I would really like to see is some statistics for:
1. how many of those who have had the flu this season had received the vaccination?
2. how many of those who have died from (allegedly) the flu this season had received the vaccination?
The media don't seem to be reporting on these statistics. I am not pre-judging. I would just like to see the numbers, and I find it frustrating that these statistics are not reported. The number of nationwide flu incidents is used to stir up a frenzy about getting the vacciantion without considering important questions.
I wonder why there is shortages, MSNBC?
Anti Vaxers make me sick! The delusion that is big pharma makes $$ etc etc over the flu vaccine is clearly nuts. Just follow the money.
Let's see...135 million doses produced this year, 310 million (give or take) people in the US. That would be my guess.
Flu shots don't work? Are you an expert? Well I am. I'm an RN, BSN Public Health Nurse with many years running my department's immunization program. VACCINATION DOES WORK! It prevents the flu or at the very least limits its spread thereby protecting everyone. YOU CANNOT GET THE FLU FROM THE SHOT! This is a DEADLY flu season! I guess you are proof of Darwin's "thinning of the herd"; stupid people like you.
I too have been associated with hospital patients as an employee for over 30 years and I can say that every year the flu vaccines are offered we employees for a good reason: THEY WORK.
Employees are exposed to all sorts of germs, viruses and toxins brought in by the patient and their families. So next time you are offered a flu vaccine, instead of "taking a chance" - take the shot. You'll thank yourself for having done so.
the vaccines are full of poison.. just like the anti depressants that big pharma has everyone hooked on. we are a fake doped up nation
Bought the buy 3 get 1 free deal, just to make sure!
I'm not sure that flue vaccine makes that much difference. I would like to see some hard statistics on vaccine use and number of cases recorded in various cities.
Go to cdc.gov
According to my dr, this years flu vaccine is not an exact match. A lot of people in Virginia are getting the flu that has had this years shot. Me included.
I got my very first flu shot ever in October. Right now I am sick as a dog. I read the vaccine covers two types; I must have the third one. Ugh. But, I suspect too, that I may have been a lot sicker without it. If my nose would just stop running for 5 minutes! lol Take care everybody.
Kassie-Your right there are 100's of flu sub-types, the CDC picks the two or three they think are going to cause the biggest problem every year and use that as the seasonal flu vaccine. Unfortunately they missed the mark this year and much of the flu cruising the US wasn't in the vaccine.
the flu vaccine match is not all or nothing. A partial match can give partial protection
Flu vaccine is a waste of time.
Works for me.
Haven't had flu in 10 years, had shot every year, seems to work for me.
Charlie....every year I get vax against to pink elephant attacks...
no pink elephant attacks.... WORKED FOR ME !
wake up...you are now more likely to get alzheimers...enjoy
I have never had a flu shot and I have not had the flu in 15 years.
NBC how about gun control no stories all day did Obama tell you go quite like you did on Benghazi massacre you at NBC people make me sick your all low life slugs.
liberalsaretheworst---same here. It has been 16 years for me. I am a hand washing nut. Best defense!
Steel... so don't get one. Oh, and don't come the ER when you get the flu and then blame someone else (like Obama or "The Gubment") because you didn't take any precaution.
Max... here is the info. I won't spoon-feed it to you.
@Inthetrenches:
You wrote this:
Excellent observation!
This is a banner year for the "Should I get vaccinated?" section of the National I. Q. Test™, and as tends to be the case there will be some amateur virologists who more than anything want to earn their own Darwinian Moment™ awards for being idiots, really . . .
Really! :-o
P. S. The way it works is that every year the Red Chinese mutants in Guangdong province China attack us with an unique set of influenza viruses beginning in the late-Fall and continuing until early-Spring, where even in the years when the Red Chinese mutants fail to concoct a particularly virulent set of viruses they nevertheless make tens of thousands of us very sick and kill several hundred of us . . .
This happens for several reasons, including (a) the ease of international travel by air and sea; (b) the culture of the Red Chinese mutants in Guangdong province, which includes living in close proximity with chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs; and (c) the ongoing strange and bizarre culinary practices of the Red Chinese mutants in Guangdong province which literally puts every entity from every biological kingdom on the "Happy Soup" menu . . .
From this perspective, which is factual and is based on scientifically verified information rather than on beliefs, the yearly influenza vaccine is the best effort of our top virologists to predict which specific set of known influenza viruses will provide the most protection, and this makes the yearly influenza vaccine the equivalent of General Atomics MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aerial assault vehicles armed with Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, where the Red Chinese mutants in Guangdong province are the biological terrorists and the yearly influenza vaccine is our primary weapon against being terrorized . . .
Washing your hands after being in public and always avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when in public certainly help and can make a significant difference, but these things help all the more when you establish the cone of protection by being vaccinated . . .
Some people cannot handle the influenza vaccine, either because they have severe egg allergies or perhaps have an already weakened immune system, but the doctor or nurse can determine this by asking a few questions . . .
Getting vaccinated is the smart strategy this year, for sure . . .
For sure! :-)
Because the influenza virus also is transmitted by air (in other words it has an airborne transmission vector), in addition to washing your hands and avoiding touching your eyes, ear, and mouth, you also need to wear an OSHA approved N95/P95 respirator (where "respirator" is the technical name for a breathing mask), and it is a good idea to wear glasses, since influenza virus can infect you via your eyes in the scenario where someone who is infected with influenza coughs or sneezes and thereby literally propels droplets of sputum containing influenza virus into your eyes, nose, or mouth . . .
Yet another fact is that influenza is a communicable disease, which in the grand scheme of everything maps to your not becoming infected with influenza virus if you (a) diligently avoid all possible contact with people beginning in early-Fall and continuing until early-Spring and (b) wear gloves and assorted biohazard protection equipment when you bring boxes of delivered items from the porch into your house, where of course you then avoid touching the packages for at least 8 to 12 hours when everything is kept at a standard room temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, since the current set of influenza viruses can survive for at least 8 hours on a surface at standard room temperature and for even longer at a lower ambient temperature . . .
If you have no contact at all with people, then there is no reason to be vaccinated against influenza, but how many people actually avoid all contact with other people and temporarily quarantine delivery packages, really . . .
Really! :-o
This is an excellent year to be smart and to get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia, and if you have not had a tetanus booster in a while, then add the diphtheria, pertussis (a.k.a., "whooping cough"), and tetanus booster vaccine to the regimen (a.k.a., "DPT") . . .
Flu is not fun, and it can kill you, really . . .
Really! :-o
Sorry Inthetrenches but the most recent study on flu shot effectiveness shows that it's not very effective at all not to mention the fact that there are other illnesses going around that are being called "flu" when they're not. So when you get cancer, an autoimmune disease, dementia and/or a serious case of the flu because you have no natural immunity to it, thanks to your flu shots, it will be your own fault, right?
Please cite the study so that I may educate myself. The weekly MMWR must not be of any value.
Thanks!
Oops, almost forgot... cancer from a flu shot? Hmm, might need another citation there. Was there a big clinical trial done? Big pharma better start ramping up the chemo production after 128million doses of flu vaccine have been given. God.... you're right!!! They ARE evil geniuses!!
@Julie:
You wrote this:
This might appear to make sense in your magical universe, but do you realize the fact that what you wrote not only (a) makes no logical sense but also (b) is a bit beyond dangerously goofy?
Having a keyboard, mouse, computer, web browser, and internet connection certainly makes it possible to write just about anything online, but writing something does not make it factual information, really . . .
Really! :-o
wow....what the heck was that post..
vaccines dont work...they weaken the immune system ...
it is a scam
The flu shot gets the most useless vaccine of all time award. Just like the other vaccines out there. Now the CDC is recommending the flu vaccine for children under 2 years of age. Flu shots are made for money, the producers of the flu vaccine know it is worthless, but they make good money. They don't care who they hurt, damage, and eventually people do die from the vaccines. They are nothing but NEUROTOXINS to the brain and the central nervous system. The flu shot gives people a very bad cold, flu/cold it is the same thing. The flu vaccine just like any other vaccine weakens the immune system. They induce diseases into the body.Look it up online what is in the vaccines. All toxic poisons and cancer producing agents. Also the animal by products in vaccines carry the risk of viral contaminations. Vaccine companies cannot guarantee the purity of animal cells used in their vaccines culture. The doctors who inject people with the useless vaccine get a % from the drug companies. They always want to find a cure for all the neurological diseases have. Well do not get vaccinated and then you would not have these diseases. Nobody anywhere or any time and under any circumstances has the right or power in this country to vaccinate you against your will and your children also. If they attempt to do so you can legally charge them with ASSAULT with a deadly weapon that is what vaccines are, weapons of mass destruction. So go to your lawyer and get your protection now. Do vaccines provide health? No they do not. Does vaccines affect your body organs? In studies it shows it does do its damages. Because THEY HAVE TOXIC CHEMICALS . Do vaccines induce diseases? Yes, we have all the evidences to prove this. Vaccines are very neurotoxic and causes neurotoxin damages to the brain and central nervous system, the disorders are endless. Brain damages is by far the most common adverse reaction associated with vaccinations. Austism, MS, Parkinson, Lupus, Alzheimer, Convulsions, Epilepsy, SIDS, Deafness, Blindness, ADD, LD, GB Syndrome, Hyperactivity, Mental Retardation, Anxiety, Depression, Brain Tumors, Cancers, Non-Hodkins Lymphoma, Encephalibeep, the list is endless. Brain damage from vaccine is an epidemic neurological disorders when vaccines ar at stake but we see many citations linking changed for the worse after vaccinations are given. There is too much to type here, but Vaccinations are a scam and a money maker for the drug companies. Do your searching online. Please do not put your stupid google ads in my posts I do not appreciate that at all, Bird flu is a HOAX, TAMIFLU is a toxic vaccine, do not fall for the propaganda.
Julie-3376713 is clearly delusional.
@SHEP12 please provide the information for the studies that back your statements.
@SHEP12:
You wrote this:
And this:
(1) What exactly is "Encephalibeep"?
(2) And for reference Tamiflu is NOT a vaccine . . .
(3) Also, your entire post was copied verbatim from the Scam.com FORUM where it was posted originally in 2005 . . .
http://scam.com/showthread.php?p=1112519
Posting this type of refried nonsense is a waste of time and it has the potential to cause the less bright among us to make patently dangerous medical decisions, such as for example avoiding influenza vaccination during what certainly appears to be the beginning of an influenza epidemic, really . . .
Really! :-o
I never had a flu shot, and have never had the flu. Can't be a coincidence.
Oh no... that hast too be it! (Another moron -> Correlation does not imply causation.)
Oh no! He called me a moron! I think I'll go cry now. STFU, nobody gives a @!$%# about your rather pathetic insults.
Yep, its a conspiracy hatched by the government. When you get the flu, please stay home. Do not come to work, do not go grocery shopping, and for goodness sake, please stay out of the Drs office and the ED
Those shots do NOTHING!
Never had one, never had the flu or even a cold.
Total big pharma BS - nothing more.
Anyone who uses terms like "big pharma" is full of it and cannot be trusted. They're part of the anti vaccine nut job community.
"even a cold." -- Bull____
Wouldn't it be nice if people would get their flu shot at the start of each season, instead of waiting until it's an emergency to do so. Plan in advance people. This happens almost every year!!! BE PREPARED. It makes life easier. Best of luck to everyone!!!! And wash those hands . . .
What they neglect to tell you is the current flue shot is only 60% effective against the current flue infection. I personaly know several people who have had the shot and still came down with the flue.
Such is life, but it's better than doing nothing, especially if you have children.
Since I live in Texas, where the flu season got off to an early and fast-spreading start, I got my vaccine this year.
The only people that I know that have gotten it have been the ones that didn't get around to getting their flu shot yet.
I'm glad that some avoid them, so that there will be enough vaccine for the rest of us that do want them.
The flu shot gets the most useless vaccine of all time award. Just like the other vaccines out there. Now the CDC is recommending the flu vaccine for children under 2 years of age. Flu shots are made for money, the producers of the flu vaccine know it is worthless, but they make good money. They don't care who they hurt, damage, and eventually people do die from the vaccines. They are nothing but NEUROTOXINS to the brain and the central nervous system. The flu shot gives people a very bad cold, flu/cold it is the same thing. The flu vaccine just like any other vaccine weakens the immune system. They induce diseases into the body.Look it up online what is in the vaccines. All toxic poisons and cancer producing agents. Also the animal by products in vaccines carry the risk of viral contaminations. Vaccine companies cannot guarantee the purity of animal cells used in their vaccines culture. The doctors who inject people with the useless vaccine get a % from the drug companies. They always want to find a cure for all the neurological diseases have. Well do not get vaccinated and then you would not have these diseases. Nobody anywhere or any time and under any circumstances has the right or power in this country to vaccinate you against your will and your children also. If they attempt to do so you can legally charge them with ASSAULT with a deadly weapon that is what vaccines are, weapons of mass destruction. So go to your lawyer and get your protection now. Do vaccines provide health? No they do not. Does vaccines affect your body organs? In studies it shows it does do its damages. Because THEY HAVE TOXIC CHEMICALS . Do vaccines induce diseases? Yes, we have all the evidences to prove this. Vaccines are very neurotoxic and causes neurotoxin damages to the brain and central nervous system, the disorders are endless. Brain damages is by far the most common adverse reaction associated with vaccinations. Austism, MS, Parkinson, Lupus, Alzheimer, Convulsions, Epilepsy, SIDS, Deafness, Blindness, ADD, LD, GB Syndrome, Hyperactivity, Mental Retardation, Anxiety, Depression, Brain Tumors, Cancers, Non-Hodkins Lymphoma, Encephalibeep, the list is endless. Brain damage from vaccine is an epidemic neurological disorders when vaccines ar at stake but we see many citations linking changed for the worse after vaccinations are given. There is too much to type here, but Vaccinations are a scam and a money maker for the drug companies. Do your searching online. Please do not put your stupid google ads in my posts I do not appreciate that at all, Bird flu is a HOAX, TAMIFLU is a toxic vaccine, do not fall for the propaganda.
Do you have any actual studies to back that all up? And no, anti-vaccine sites do not count.
If you don't, then please kindly stop trying to scare people into not taking their medicine. We already have enough of a problem with mentally ill people refusing to take their antipsychotics because nitwits have convinced them that mental illness doesn't exist.
To introduce a bit of intelligence into the conversation, it is useful to know that @SHEP12 is multiposting a scam message from 2005, which is found at the following link to the Scam.com FORUM:
http://scam.com/showthread.php?p=1112519
It is just a bunch of nonsense and gobbledygook posted by a troll, really . . .
Really! :-o
Maybe our bad and involuntary habits have more to dowith getting the flu than the efficacy of the flu shot. A highly mobile populace that doesn't wash their hands enough, or cover their mouths properly when they cough is a typical method of exposure. Those who already have it or are contagious either can't or won't stay home. Finger pointing and conspiracies always trump common sense these days.
Fear, fear.... pay for the shot or you can die. Sad.... but it makes a lot of money for the manufacturer!
I hear all this but really would like to hear what percentage of these people received the shot and didn't ? This is never brought up! I have never received a flu shot for over 10 years and I haven't gotten sick YET. But everyone around me is sick but my family I live with and we haven't received this or other shots. My youngest went to work for the USPS and I need to ask him if he received a shot threw his work. Now he lives in San Francisco and works there and he came down with this flu. I think that us John Q Public need the truth and better reporting. We are not getting the true facts on this at all. I am really thinking this is bull@!$%# and we are believing the wrong advice. It might be better to wear rubber boots and carry a shovel to shovel the crap advice they are handing out!
here you go:
http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=209078
Ban Influenza A and B. Make the transport of these deadly weapons illegal. High capacity sneezes too. Anyone caught sneezing in a public place must be arrested.
You nailed it. That's where we're headed with this fake flu pandemic.
the flu is spread by people that don't bathe and people that get the flu are also people that fail to bathe
Big Al.......the flu is spread by riding on buses, working in offices or in schools or anywhere people gather together. It's spread by coughing, sharing water glasses, etc, as well.
Carol: don't forget people that infest buffets.
They should have gotten their flu vaccinations 4 months ago when they first come out. Nothing like waiting for an epidemic and then start worrying.
Found a great recipe for a bit of relief from the flu symptoms years ago. In a heavy mug pour in 2 shots of a good whiskey, add the juice of half a lemon, a table spoon of honey then top it off with very hot water. It won't cure you but after 3 of them you won't give a S.. .. if you are sick or not.
The flu shot gets the most useless vaccine of all time award. Just like the other vaccines out there. Now the CDC is recommending the flu vaccine for children under 2 years of age. Flu shots are made for money, the producers of the flu vaccine know it is worthless, but they make good money. They don't care who they hurt, damage, and eventually people do die from the vaccines. They are nothing but NEUROTOXINS to the brain and the central nervous system. The flu shot gives people a very bad cold, flu/cold it is the same thing. The flu vaccine just like any other vaccine weakens the immune system. They induce diseases into the body.Look it up online what is in the vaccines. All toxic poisons and cancer producing agents. Also the animal by products in vaccines carry the risk of viral contaminations. Vaccine companies cannot guarantee the purity of animal cells used in their vaccines culture. The doctors who inject people with the useless vaccine get a % from the drug companies. They always want to find a cure for all the neurological diseases have. Well do not get vaccinated and then you would not have these diseases. Nobody anywhere or any time and under any circumstances has the right or power in this country to vaccinate you against your will and your children also. If they attempt to do so you can legally charge them with ASSAULT with a deadly weapon that is what vaccines are, weapons of mass destruction. So go to your lawyer and get your protection now. Do vaccines provide health? No they do not. Does vaccines affect your body organs? In studies it shows it does do its damages. Because THEY HAVE TOXIC CHEMICALS . Do vaccines induce diseases? Yes, we have all the evidences to prove this. Vaccines are very neurotoxic and causes neurotoxin damages to the brain and central nervous system, the disorders are endless. Brain damages is by far the most common adverse reaction associated with vaccinations. Austism, MS, Parkinson, Lupus, Alzheimer, Convulsions, Epilepsy, SIDS, Deafness, Blindness, ADD, LD, GB Syndrome, Hyperactivity, Mental Retardation, Anxiety, Depression, Brain Tumors, Cancers, Non-Hodkins Lymphoma, Encephalibeep, the list is endless. Brain damage from vaccine is an epidemic neurological disorders when vaccines ar at stake but we see many citations linking changed for the worse after vaccinations are given. There is too much to type here, but Vaccinations are a scam and a money maker for the drug companies. Do your searching online. Please do not put your stupid google ads in my posts I do not appreciate that at all, Bird flu is a HOAX, TAMIFLU is a toxic vaccine, do not fall for the propaganda.
Cut and paste spammer. Total bull.
@Chris-5thape:
You wrote this:
And you are correct in every respect, for sure . . .
For sure! :-)
Specifically, SHEP12 is multiposting a scam message from 2005, which is found at the following link to the Scam.com FORUM:
http://scam.com/showthread.php?p=1112519
It is just a bunch of nonsense and gobbledygook posted by a troll, really . . .
Really! :-o
Great news for Big Pharma! They can raise flu-shot prices now to eliminate the shortage, thus helping consumers stay healthy.
maybe some numbers need to be crunched.... there are more than 310 million people in the U.S.
If there are 135 million possible vaccines that would mean out of 310 million that is only 43% of the population... if you factor out those younger than 6 months and the very elderly and we'll be generous saying that is 100 million people. that leaves 210 million people, giving us 64% of the population.
so if every person did try to get it, there is only enough flu shots to cover 64% of the United States population. so it is probably safe to say there isn't even enough vaccines to cover 1/2 of the U.S.
so what does that mean to you?