Last week's surprise shutdown of a major supplier of influenza vaccine in England has created a severe shortage of the vaccine this year. The number of doses of flu vaccine available nationally has been cut in half, requiring state and local health departments, as well as health care providers lucky enough to have any vaccine, to strictly prioritize who will be able to receive it.
"The nationwide goal is to vaccinate those at highest risk of complications from the flu," said Janet Corson-Rikert, M.D., executive director of Gannett: Cornell University Health Services. "That has to be our goal, as well."
Although Gannett is fortunate to have some flu vaccine, the supply is one eighth of what it was last year. Gannett is working closely with the Tompkins County Health Department, which also has a very limited supply, to determine the priorities for the distribution of all the available vaccine in the county.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control meets this week to make recommendations on the priorities for distributing what vaccine is available, to assure that those at most serious risk receive this protection. The Tompkins County Health Department will be following these recommendations. "We expect to have decisions that will guide our distribution by the end of the week," Corson-Rikert said.
As the primary care provider for Cornell students, Gannett must direct its limited supply of vaccine to students at high risk for complications from the flu. Faculty and staff members over age 65 or with chronic medical conditions should contact their personal physicians for guidance regarding vaccination.
Members of the Cornell community have had a strong track record when it comes to following public health recommendations for flu prevention. Usually, that includes getting a flu shot; but the rationing now underway should not pose undue risk to any normally healthy adolescent or adult. The flu, while unpleasant, usually passes in a few days and rarely causes complications to those outside the risk groups.
"Vaccination is not the only way to help prevent the flu," Corson-Rikert said. The risk of infection with the flu can be greatly reduced by regular hand washing; avoiding close contact with people who are ill; not touching your eyes, nose and mouth; covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; staying home when you are sick; and maintaining healthy habits to support the immune system.
"We at Gannett have been pleased to partner with the Benefits Office in the provision of flu vaccine to faculty and staff in the past, and hope we can do so again when national supplies are restored next year," Corson-Rikert said.
Gannett provides current information about flu vaccination and prevention on its Web site, http://www.gannett.cornell.edu.
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