State lifts restrictions on flu vaccinations.Byline: Tim Christie The Register-Guard State public health officials lifted all restrictions on flu vaccine The flu vaccine is a vaccine to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. The annual flu kills an estimated 36,000 people in the United States. Thursday, hoping to ensure remaining doses get used before the flu season
That means anyone who wants a shot - and can find a dose - can get vaccinated. People at high risk for serious illness from influenza influenza or flu, acute, highly contagious disease caused by a virus; formerly known as the grippe. There are three types of the virus, designated A, B, and C, but only types A and B cause more serious contagious infections. who haven't yet received a flu shot should seek a vaccination vaccination, means of producing immunity against pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, by the introduction of live, killed, or altered antigens that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against more dangerous forms. immediately, said Dr. Grant Higginson, the state public health officer. "People shouldn't just assume vaccine is no longer available," he said. In October, state health officials invoked an emergency law restricting vaccine to people in high-risk groups high-risk group Epidemiology A group of people in the community with a higher-than-expected risk for developing a particular disease, which may be defined on a measurable parameter–eg, an inherited genetic defect, physical attribute, lifestyle, habit, , including the elderly, the chronically ill and young children, because of a nationwide vaccine shortage. They eased those restrictions last month and lifted them completely Thursday as demand for vaccine has lessened in recent weeks. "From talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to local health departments and providers, we're seeing there is still vaccine available sitting on the shelf," he said. A very rough estimate puts the number of doses available statewide at 5,000, Higginson said, and it's possible the number is higher. The state has an opportunity to order another 30,000 doses, but will do so only if the demand is there, he said. "I think demand has slowed because people figured they couldn't get it or they weren't eligible," said Pat Dotson, senior stores clerk for Lane County Public Health, who has been serving as a vaccine broker this year among providers and pharmacies. Last year, about 800,000 Oregonians got flu shots, Higginson said. This year, the state has received about 600,000 doses to date. At least eight other states have lifted restrictions on flu vaccine. The shortage resulted when British regulators shut down a flu vaccine factory operated by the American company Chiron Corp., which was expected to provide about half the nation's vaccine supply. Influenza is a severe respiratory illness Noun 1. respiratory illness - a disease affecting the respiratory system respiratory disease, respiratory disorder adult respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS, wet lung, white lung - acute lung injury characterized by coughing and rales; inflammation of the that causes about 36,000 deaths each year in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , including 500 in Oregon. The flu season has been mild so far, but it's starting to heat up, Higginson said. A total of 15 cases have been confirmed in Oregon - eight in the week ending Jan. 1. The number of cases will increase through the end of January, and peak in late January or early February for four to six weeks. In Lane County, some health providers and pharmacies still have vaccine available, Dotson said. Pharmacies at the Mohawk Boulevard Albertson's and the 18th Avenue Bi-Mart, for instance, both have vaccine, he said. Pharmacists This is a list of notable pharmacists.
Lane County Public Health has ordered 100 doses, which will be dispensed at a regular Wednesday vaccination clinic when it arrives, and it has lots of children's doses, Dotson said. The agency also will be taking orders from providers and pharmacies who want more vaccine from the state. But people should call their health providers first to check for availability, he said. FLU VACCINE People seeking a flu shot should check first with their own health provider. If none is available, call the Lane County Flu Line at 682-4181 or the statewide flu line at (800) 978-3040. |
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