The Cayuga County Health Department has postponed public flu shot clinics in the wake of a shutdown of a major supplier of the vaccine.
Chiron Corp.'s announcement this week that the manufacturing of their flu vaccine has been suspended has been felt throughout Central New York, where physicians, employers and public health agencies were preparing to offer the vaccine. British regulators unexpectedly shut down Chiron Tuesday, citing manufacturing problems at the company's factory in England where roughly 46 million doses destined for the United States had been made.
Chiron was the manufacturer from whom the Cayuga County Health Department ordered its supply of flu vaccine, based on the state bid procedure. It had placed an order with another flu vaccine manufacturer in August.
Chiron's problem began in August when it discovered contamination in a small amount of vaccine that delayed its U.S. shipments. Still, top U.S. health officials assured the public less than two weeks ago that close monitoring showed the rest of Chiron's supply was fine, and plenty of vaccine would be available.
But now Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and other government officials have appealed for voluntary rationing in the wake of a major supply interruption.
Because only about 54 million flu shots will be available from a competing firm, the U.S. government decided that most healthy adults should delay or skip them to leave enough vaccine for the elderly and other high-risk patients.
The county health department is working with the state department of health to secure any available vaccine to meet the needs of the high-risk residents.
"If we receive any shipments of flu vaccine, our immediate focus will be on making sure that the supply reaches those who are most vulnerable," said Elane Daly, Cayuga County health and human services director.
The health department is recommending people speak with their personal health care provider if they wish to receive the flu vaccine or the Flumist nasal spray, which is only appropriate for people between ages 5-49 without asthma and without immune system problems.
The county health department will establish a hotline phone number next week to keep people up to date on any changing developments in the vaccine shipment and if any clinics will be scheduled. The phone number will be 253-1157.
The Associated Press contributed to this story. Staff writer Mary Bulkot can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or mary.bulkot@lee.net
Chiron was the manufacturer from whom the Cayuga County Health Department ordered its supply of flu vaccine, based on the state bid procedure. It had placed an order with another flu vaccine manufacturer in August.
Chiron's problem began in August when it discovered contamination in a small amount of vaccine that delayed its U.S. shipments. Still, top U.S. health officials assured the public less than two weeks ago that close monitoring showed the rest of Chiron's supply was fine, and plenty of vaccine would be available.
But now Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and other government officials have appealed for voluntary rationing in the wake of a major supply interruption.
Because only about 54 million flu shots will be available from a competing firm, the U.S. government decided that most healthy adults should delay or skip them to leave enough vaccine for the elderly and other high-risk patients.
The county health department is working with the state department of health to secure any available vaccine to meet the needs of the high-risk residents.
"If we receive any shipments of flu vaccine, our immediate focus will be on making sure that the supply reaches those who are most vulnerable," said Elane Daly, Cayuga County health and human services director.
The health department is recommending people speak with their personal health care provider if they wish to receive the flu vaccine or the Flumist nasal spray, which is only appropriate for people between ages 5-49 without asthma and without immune system problems.
The county health department will establish a hotline phone number next week to keep people up to date on any changing developments in the vaccine shipment and if any clinics will be scheduled. The phone number will be 253-1157.
The Associated Press contributed to this story. Staff writer Mary Bulkot can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or mary.bulkot@lee.net