Local school districts are starting to postpone or cancel their flu vaccine clinics because of manufacturing delays.
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Anne Arundel County health officials and school administrators are encouraging parents to schedule flu vaccine injections with their family doctors.
The FluMist isn’t expected to be delivered until December or later, school and health officials said.
Jean Grabeel, health services manager with the school system, explained that MedImmune, the only company that produces FluMist, has reported problems with production.
“As a result, a significant portion of FluMist doses will be available later in the influenza season relative to prior seasons”, Meixell said. Delays have been reported elsewhere as well, including Wisconsin, Missouri and Tennessee.
All students whose parents sign a consent form will be given the flu vaccine – but only via needle. CVS said it has shots available, for example. Those have been given to students at 26 of the district’s 56 school buildings and programs.
Baltimore County will be able to vaccinate students in 32 of its Title I schools.
The rest of the clinics in those counties could be held in December.
Rachael Musgrave, Sefton Council’s consultant in Public Health, said: “Flu can be very serious and should not be underestimated. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, or if you have any questions about getting vaccinated, simply contact your GP practice and ask for advice, we’ll be happy to help”.
It will be given out for about four weeks, from October 19 until the middle of November, said Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab. “We hope to resume the program next year”. Flu activity now is sporadic in Maryland and most of the rest of the country.
Flu shots will be provided to everyone who is more than 6 months old at no cost. The mist is available to those ages 2 to 49.
Last year, only 54 percent of staff were vaccinated.
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As in previous years, the adult flu vaccine will also be offered for free to those in groups at particular risk of infection and complications from flu – pregnant women, those over the age of 65, those under the age of 65 with long-term conditions and carers. She said the recommendations change over the years.
