The Chiron Corporation, which is the manufacturer of Fluvirin, lost its license to manufacture and supply vaccine through the British government. Because of this, it is predicted the United States will have a shortage of 50 million doses of flu vaccine. It is not known how this will impact the distribution of the vaccine manufactured by the United States vendor Aventis and their planned release later this month.

The Health Center purchases their medications and vaccines through a State consortium for this region of the country. All clients who purchased Fluvirin are impacted.

Health Center staff recommends that all persons who are considered "high risk" obtain a vaccine though private physicians and any announced clinics in the community at the earliest opportunity. "High risk" includes: all children 6-23 months of age, caretakers of infants, people 50 or older, residents of long-term care facilities, people with weakened immune systems due to immune system disease, medical personnel, women who will be pregnant through flu season, children on aspirin treatment and people with chronic illness (heart, lung, kidney, metabolic).

In an effort to prevent the spread of influenza on campus, the Health Center plans to send brief informational messages throughout the 2004-05 flu season.

TIP: The best method to prevent spread of influenza is to WASH YOUR HANDS throughout the day.

For flu shot clinics in the Denver metro area go to http://www.immunizecolorado.com