Posted at 12:35 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Flu shots to be limited to high-risk patients
Advertiser Staff
Only infants, elderly people, pregnant women and other high-risk patients will be able to get flu shots from state clinics under a program that begins Monday, the state Department of Health announced today.The department said it was taking the step because of an extremely limited supply of flu vaccine.
Flu shots will be given only to people who have a signed referral form from their doctor, and an appointment for a flu shot. The policy applies to flu shots given at state public health nursing clinics, said Laura Lott, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health.
Only so-called high-risk patients will receive referral forms. People at high risk for complications from the flu include:
• Healthy children 6 to 23 months old.
• Adults 65 years or older.
• Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during flu season.
• People 2 years and older who have underlying chronic conditions.
The Health Department encourages healthy people ages 5 to 49 who with to be immunized against the flu to ask their doctor about the nasal flu vaccine, FluMist. People can also find FluMist providers in their area at www.flumist.com.
