With Record Vaccinations Predicted, Maxim Health Systems Predicts No Shortages At Its Clinics This Year.

Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 2, 2002

Even with a record number of vaccinations predicted, one of the nation's leading flu shot providers says that if current manufacturer estimates hold, it is expecting no delays or shortages at its clinics this year as it begins public vaccinations on October 15 and corporate clinics on November 1.

The company expects first shipments of the vaccine to arrive in August, the earliest in three years.

This year, the flu shot provider, in complete cooperation with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is specifically targeting high-risk individuals in the two weeks between October 15 and November 1. Unlike the past two years, the provider, in accordance with the CDC, will not turn away non-high risk individuals in this time period.

Beginning November 1, the company will concentrate all of its efforts on the general public.

Steve Wright of Maxim Health Systems is anticipating record turnout at its public and corporate clinics. "The flu shot shortages of the last three years have actually heightened awareness of the benefits of vaccinations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have expanded their definition of high risk individuals, and unlike the last two years, the CDC is telling providers not to turn away non-high risk persons. All these factors should lead to unprecedented demand, which means it's a good thing most of us in the industry predict adequate supply."

In order to help persons find shots, the company has upgraded the nation's leading flu shot locator, www.findaflushot.com, which last year netted more than a million hits.

Visitors to the site simply type in a zip code, and the site will provide the locations, sorted by closest first, along with each site's distance in miles, phone number, address and location hours.

In previous years, the CDC has defined those with an increased risk of influenza-related complications as those who are:

-- Persons 65 years of age or older.

-- Residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities.

-- Anyone with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma.

-- Any woman who will be in her second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season. (Women who meet this criterion must have a doctor prescription to get vaccinated.)

-- Anyone who has had regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinaopathies, or immunodeficiency virus.

-- Children and teenagers with a physician's prescription for the vaccine, who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza season. Anyone younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign a consent form. Some states and clinics do not vaccinate persons under 18. It is advisable to call a clinic first to confirm it gives shots to people younger than 18.

-- Health-care workers and others in close contact with persons at high risk.

This year's definition dramatically increases the number of people classified as high risk by including anyone who is a household contact of anyone who was previously considered high risk and by also adding healthy young children from 6-23 months old.

"That's a much larger segment of the overall population," says Wright. "This year, we're also seeking additional corporate partners for company vaccinations, because the workplace is a place where the flu can spread quickly."

Each year, influenza is responsible for an estimated 114,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths in America.

For more information on public clinics, visit www.findaflushot.com. For more information on corporate clinics, visit www.maximflu.com.