Flu Vaccine Shortage Restricts Access to This Year’s Shot

On the heels of concerns about a mercury-containing substance in some of the flu shots being distributed in the United States this year comes a new crisis in the availability of the vaccine itself.
XT-INDENT: 0in">Health officials in the United Kingdom recently suspended the license of Chiron Corporation, a major producer of the flu vaccine, because of manufacturing problems and possible contamination issues. The suspension is scheduled to last three months.


XT-INDENT: 0in">The move has cut the U.S. supply of the flu vaccine in half, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).


XT-INDENT: 0in">To help conserve the vaccine and ensure that high-risk groups have access to the vaccine, the CDC is asking anyone not in a priority group to forego a flu vaccination this season.


XT-INDENT: 0in">Priority groups for influenza vaccination this season are:


XT-INDENT: 0in">• all children ages 6 to 23 months


XT-INDENT: 0in">• adults ages 65 and older


XT-INDENT: 0in">• all people with underlying chronic medical conditions


XT-INDENT: 0in">• all women who will be pregnant during the flu season


XT-INDENT: 0in">• residents of nursing homes


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