No flu vaccine shortage seen

County agency already has about 60,000 doses, a big increase from last year’s supply.Long lines outside health clinics were a common sight last fall, as a nationwide flu vaccine shortage sent many residents scrambling to find locations that administered shots.

Triggered by the announcement that a major vaccine manufacturer’s products weren’t approved for use, the shortage meant many who weren’t considered “high-risk” patients were unable to protect themselves from the virus.

A similar supply shortage shouldn’t occur this year, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

“This year, according to the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], it is expected that there is enough [supply] nationwide to meet the demand,” said agency spokesperson Howard Sutter.

For Newport-Mesa residents, that will likely mean less stress in finding flu vaccine clinics. The agency has already received about 60,000 doses, a significant increase from last year, Sutter said.

That has allowed it to reopen clinics that were canceled last year. The agency sponsors four public health clinics, one of which is at 2845 Mesa Verde Drive East in Costa Mesa.

On Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., nurses are on hand to administer free shots for those who are defined by the CDC to be high-risk patients. Those include adults older than 60, children 23 months or younger, healthcare professionals who deal directly with patients and those with chronic heart or lung conditions.

According to the CDC, about 36,000 people die from the flu each year, and anywhere from 5% to 20% of the population gets the virus annually.

The county health care agency recommends that those who aren’t in one of the highest priority groups seek a flu shot from their physician or other community healthcare source.

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has geared up for the coming flu season by acquiring enough vaccines to serve its patients, said Rosalie DeSantis, who manages the hospital’s infection control department.

The hospital began providing flu shots to employees who met CDC guidelines last week. On Tuesday, qualifying patients began to receive immunization. DeSantis said the supply should last them until the end of the flu season.

“The supplier guaranteed us a certain number, and they have come through,” she said. “It’s been much easier this year.”

Hundreds of Newport-Mesa residents took advantage of a clinic held last month at the Oasis Senior Center. Social services director Vicki Chin said the ample supply of shots this year seems to have put people at ease.

“People are always anxious, because they are worried about getting the flu,” Chin said. “People weren’t as anxious this year, though.”

The senior center’s clinic was administered by private company Maxim Health Systems, which is also sponsoring a series of clinics at stores across Orange County.

For a cost of $25, those older than 9 can get a flu shot through this program. Clinic participants whose primary coverage is Medicare are eligible to receive an immunization with no co-pay.

Dates, times and locations are listed at www.finda flushot.com.

If shipments of flu shots come through as expected, the Costa Mesa Senior Center is planning to offer flu immunization at its health fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15.

Sutter said the agency has already seen sporadic cases of the flu, which is not unusual for this time of year.

“Just because you have cases earlier or later, it’s not an indication of how bad flu seasons are,” Sutter said. “For anyone who is a high-risk patient, now is the time to get a shot.”

* For a listing of clinics with the flu shot available, visit www.ochealthinfo.com.

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter. He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at [email protected].