Shots canceled last week
Shipping delays responsible for lack of flu vaccines
By Victoria Shelor, staff writer
Posted on October 26, 2006

The University Health Center canceled the distribution of the flu vaccine on campus on Oct. 23, 24 and 25 due to a delay in the shipment from the distributor.

The reason for the two to three-week delay in shipment has not been disclosed, said Dr. Stephen Rogers, medical director of the University Health Center.

“It probably has something to do with production of the vaccine,” he said.

As of now, the flu shots offered on campus for next week on Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1 still stand; however, there is a chance the vaccine will still be unavailable. “We are waiting until the week of to make any cancellations,” Rogers said.

“Those planning to receive the flu vaccine should seek it from CVS or Kroger pharmacies in Harrisonburg,” Rogers said. 

University faculty and other state employees who are under the COVA Care prescription drug benefit plan can receive the flu vaccine free through Medco at both CVS locations on Cantrell Avenue and South High Street. The free flu vaccine is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 with no appointment necessary. Times are listed on the University Health Center’s Web site. For everyone else, the cost of the flu vaccine is $24.99 at CVS and $30 at Kroger.  The campus flu shots are $15 for students and $8 for faculty.

“Having asthma, I usually get the flu vaccine on campus,” junior Lacey Stanley said.  “I will probably get it done at CVS this year.”

Rogers said, “About 1,100 flu shots were given last year.”

That number includes students and faculty and does not account for those who get the vaccine somewhere other than on campus, he said.

Influenza infects an average of 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.  Over 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die of the flu or from its resulting complications each year on average. Complications from the flu include pneumonia and the worsening of chronic medical conditions like asthma, congestive heart failure and diabetes.

According to the CDC Web site, the flu is usually spread through the air when someone infected sneezes or coughs, or by touching doorknobs or other surfaces containing the virus. The CDC recommends that anyone who wants to reduce their risk of catching the flu should get the vaccine, especially those with chronic medical conditions and those over age 50.

Sanofi Pasteur, part of the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical company, provides vaccines for 20 bacterial and viral diseases. According to the Web site, every 30 years on average, the type-A influenza virus undergoes an antigenic change that can produce a worldwide epidemic or pandemic, and which may affect the entire population severely, causing many deaths. The last pandemic occurred in 1977.

Sanofi Pasteur also states on  its Web site that they maintain a supply of vaccine in a safety reserve in the event that large quantities of the vaccines are needed immediately due to outbreaks, epidemics and the possibility of bioterrorism.