FLU VACCINE UPMC cancels public clinics

The national vaccine shortage is forcing hospitals to cancel or ration flu shots.
The flu vaccine shortage has caused UPMC Horizon to cancel its public flu vaccine clinics this month and next month and prompted Jameson Health System to limit the vaccine to high-risk groups.
UPMC Horizon, which has hospitals in Greenville and Farrell, and the Primary Health Care Network have canceled the clinics that they had scheduled in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Mercer County Area Agency on Aging.
UPMC cited the British government's decision to shut down Chiron Corp., a major maker of flu vaccines for the United States, as the reason for the cancellations. UPMC Horizon and PHN are on a waiting list for an alternative supply of flu vaccine for hospital patients and health-care workers, UPMC said.
As a result of a national shortage of flu vaccine, Jameson Health System in New Castle has decided to first administer the influenza vaccine to people most at risk.
The hospital said it was sticking to the newly posted guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The health system will work cooperatively with the local physicians to attempt to administer the vaccine to people most at risk.
To assist with the CDC's recommendation to ration the flu vaccine, Jameson will make the vaccine available at scheduled flu-shot sessions for as long as the supply lasts.
Who's eligible
Only people 65 or older who have a prescription from their doctor identifying a chronic, underlying medical condition or pregnant women will receive the vaccine on a first-come, first-served basis.
Also, children younger than 13 should see their family physician or pediatrician. Jameson also will make the vaccine available to its health-care workers involved in direct patient care. The vaccine is not recommended for people with allergies to chickens, eggs, egg products or mercury.
The cost is $18 and is payable at registration.
Alternative flu prevention therapies, such as the FluMist inhaled vaccine, are available but not recommended for high-risk patients, such as children under age 5 and adults 65 and over.