Public health officials in Fargo-Moorhead are rolling up their sleeves and bracing themselves to learn whether they'll have enough flu vaccine.
Early reports take a little of the sting away: So far, licensed vaccine manufacturers have approval to ship more doses than were available last year during a severe shortage, health officials said.
"At this point in time it's looking promising," Kathy McKay, public health administrator for Clay County Public Health, said Tuesday. "There's never a hundred percent guarantee."
Anne Hersch, immunization coordinator at Fargo Cass Public Health, also is encouraged by reports that show vaccine supplies should be much better than last year, when scarce doses were rationed to the most vulnerable, such as the elderly and those with serious chronic illnesses.
Influenza vaccination normally begins around mid-October in this area and continues through November, Hersch said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The nation's vaccine supply fell by half after one of the two main manufacturers was banned from shipping vaccine.
VACCINE JUMP A11
This year, a third manufacturer has approval to supply a small number of vaccines, and the manufacturer that had trouble last year has permission to make vaccines, but awaits approval to ship.
"It's looking pretty optimistic," she said. "It's not a done deal where it's on the truck yet."
Kris Ehresmann, Minnesota's immunization program manager, said the message coming from federal health officials is that shipping approval is expected for the firm, Chiron.
"Even without them we'll still have more vaccine than last year," Ehresmann said. "But the expectation is that there shouldn't be any problem. Of course the caveat is that's what we thought last year."
In North Dakota, public health agencies in eight regional districts are working together to decide how to distribute vaccines in the event of a shortage.
"There's better communication among everybody," said Heather Weaver, North Dakota's immunization program manager. "Last year kind of forced everybody to come together and help each other out. People are better prepared for what could occur."
ADVERTISEMENT
Readers can reach Forum reporter Patrick Springer at (701) 241-5522
