These articles, written by Dr. Scott Gibbs, appeared as regular health columns in the Southeast Missourian newspaper from 1999 to 2002.
Headline
Flu Vaccine Delay

  Each year 35 to 50 million Americans get the flu and more than 10 to 20 thousand people die from it.  Flu and its combined complications are the fifth or sixth leading cause of death in the United States.  This especially takes its toll on people over 50.  And, although nearly 4.6 billion dollars are spent annually on direct medical costs related to the flu, less than half of those who would benefit from vaccination get vaccinated. 

  Influenza (flu) is different than the common cold or the “stomach flu” as it is caused by a variety of viruses identified as Influenza A, B and C.  These are highly contagious respiratory viruses that are mostly spread by sneezing and coughing.  People who work in healthcare offices, hospitals or healthcare organizations or people who reside in nursing homes or other organizations are at the highest risk for contracting these viruses.  The virus can also be passed through hand contact or by touching objects that were touched by someone with the flu.  Consequently, children in daycare centers and schools are often affected and good hand washing helps to minimize this type of transmission.

  The symptoms of the flu include a sense of generalized weakness, muscular aches, poor appetite, chills and fever often in excess of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.  Patients with the flu often require some bedrest and symptoms usually improve in about three days.  Senior adults over age 65 often require hospitalization and the rate of hospitalization among this group doubles with each decade after 65.

  The Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices (ACIP) made a consensus recommendation recently urging healthcare providers to begin thinking about delaying adult mass vaccination campaigns until late November of this year whereas they are normally performed in October through mid November.  It seems that there is a shortage of vaccine due to a lower than expected yield through the manufacturing process.  The Center For Disease Control has provided modified recommendations for the 2000 to 2001 flu season emphasizing vaccination among those at the highest risk of death from the flu.  Certainly, this will include senior adults and healthcare workers.  It is expected to arrive late in Southeast Missouri, perhaps by mid November.  Check with the local Health Department for an update.

  It is necessary to get a vaccination each fall, as the various strains of viruses causing the flu are ever-changing.  The flu vaccine is effective at preventing the flu in 70 to 90 percent of healthy people receiving the vaccination and 30 to 50 percent in elderly patients.  These vaccinations result in a nearly 70 percent reduction in total hospitalizations and 50 to 85 percent reduction in deaths.  Consult your family physician or nurse practitioner about flu vaccinations, especially if you find that you are in one of these relatively high-risk groups.