flu shot or no flu shot

The flu shot story hit home today when I learned that Patti and other residents HAD NOT been vaccinated against the flu.

 

The following is from facility Director of Nursing. “… My order was placed back in April and confirmed at that time.  The pneumonia vaccines were administered in August... The flu vaccine, however, is another story.  While our order was confirmed, no one could have foreseen the shortage created by Chiron failing the quality control checks.  Aventis Pharmaceuticals was in place to handle the remaining 40% of vaccines to be distributed, and now that 40% has to be distributed to 100% of the population requesting.  We have yet to receive any vaccine and have no indication of when we will receive any, or of how much we will get.  The CDC is working on this as well to attempt to divert the limited number of available vaccine to those who are at greatest risk. …”

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Health secretary: No flu vaccine crisis

(CNN) -- The shortage of flu vaccine inthe United States is "not a health crisis," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said, urging people to be patient as the government works to reallocate the nation's limited number of vaccines. …

 

… The secretary urged people "to be calm, and if there are lines, don't wait." … "Come back another day, and if the individual clinics or nursing homes don't have the vaccine right now, let us know," Thompson said.

 

… Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said it's too soon to tell if there will be a flu crisis this year.

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Historically, Patti’s flu vaccinations have been inconsistent to say the least even when available. Too often simply the demands of juggling home caregiving, or flares and or exacerbations of MS have created enough obstacles that it is too late before we ever could get around to getting Patti in for a shot anyway.  While in my years as her spouse/caregiver she has NEVER had the flu; of course, MS is an immune system disease and ‘at risk’.

 

It's enough to make you batty and 'living with MS' has enough challenges.