Posted on: Thursday, October 7, 2004
High-risk groups get flu shots
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
In three hours yesterday morning, a flu shot clinic in Liliha vaccinated 300 people, many of them older residents trying to make sure they got their shot while the vaccine was still available during the nationwide shortage.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser Roger Higa, 40, a manager at a Zippy's restaurant, said he was disappointed he couldn't get one.
Higa said he wanted the shot because he got really sick from the flu about six years ago and didn't want to risk that happening again. "I was out of work for two weeks," he said.
Yesterday's clinic in Liliha, at Times Super Market, was run by The Medical Corner.
By and large, people seemed to be heeding state officials' recommendation that they should not get a shot if they are healthy and not in a high-risk category, according to the clinics.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser Char, 69, said he was referred to the supermarket clinic by his doctor's office. "I called my doctor and they said they didn't have any vaccine," he said.
The popular community clinics sponsored statewide by an HMSA subsidiary at Longs Drugs and other locations have been canceled while officials assess the situation and determine how to distribute the supplies they have.
At the Hawaii Medical Service Association, senior vice president Cliff Cisco said a decision will be made over the next few days on what the next step will be. "We have a limited supply," Cisco said.
Dr. Linda Rosen, deputy state health director, said she expects most Hawai'i folks to be understanding about the request to leave the vaccine for those most in need. She said a majority realize that for those at highest risk, including the elderly who suffer from chronic diseases, "it could be life-saving for them to get vaccine."
• Those most at risk should get a flu shot as soon as possible because supplies are scarce. At-risk groups include: babies, ages 6 months to 23 months; people 65 and older; anyone with a chronic condition such as diabetes, asthma, heart or lung disease; pregnant women; residents of nursing homes and facilities offering long-term care; healthcare workers who tend to high-risk groups; those who care for infants; and children on aspirin therapy.
• To find where flu shots are still being offered, call your doctor or Aloha United Way's 211 or go to www.vaxhawaii.com. • Healthy individuals who do not fall into any of the high-risk groups are being asked to postpone or skip flu shots this year. The United States will receive only half of the expected vaccine supply this year because British regulators suspended a vaccine factory's license. • You also should not get the vaccine if: you are allergic to eggs (which are used in making the vaccine), are ill with a high fever or have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. OTHER MEASURES
• Wash your hands frequently, not just before meals. • If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your upper sleeve, not into your hands. • After you sneeze or cough, clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner. • If you do get sick, stay home rather than going to work or school. • If you can't stay home, consider wearing a mask to prevent passing the flu to others. ABOUT THE FLU
People can die from the flu. Each year, about 36,000 adults nationwide, most of them elderly, die from the flu, including several hundred in Hawai'i.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; state Health Department "I think there will be a subgroup of healthy people who really strongly want the vaccine and will be disappointed that they can't get it," she said.
Dr. Robert Sussman, medical director for The Medical Corner, which operates urgent-care clinics in Kailua, Kapolei and Waikiki and at the airport, is continuing a series of community clinics offered at Times Super Market locations across O'ahu. Sussman's staff is referring those who don't fall into the high-risk groups to their clinics rather than giving them some of the scarce vaccine now.
He feels comfortable continuing the vaccinations because years of giving flu shots has shown him that the majority of those seeking the shots fall into the most needy categories. "We're giving it to the people who need it," Sussman said. "If you pull it away, they're going to panic anyway."
Sussman's staff opened the Liliha clinic several hours early because Times got so many phone calls asking about the shots.
Sussman said he wouldn't feel right about having the vaccine and not giving it to those who are counting on the annual shots. "The mission of The Medical Corner is to get out there and give people access to medical care," he said.
However, he does contract with various companies that offer flu shots to employees, and many of those have been put on hold until the impact of the shortage has been evaluated.
Rosen said the state is surveying healthcare providers throughout the state to find out what vaccine has arrived, been given and is expected so that they can get a true picture of the situation here.
Longs Drug Stores Corp., operator of 469 drugstores in Western states, including Hawai'i, has suspended flu vaccinations at its stores until further notice, spokeswoman Phyllis Proffer said.
Nationally, U.S. drugstore chains Walgreen Co. and Rite Aid Corp. said they plan to reserve flu shots for high-risk patients, and some companies canceled worker vaccination programs. Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were tracking distribution of flu vaccine and areas where acute shortages are likely. The CDC also said it will monitor flu hot spots and talk with community health officials to make sure that enough vaccine is available where needed.
Cyndi Graham is a healthy woman in her 40s who was hoping to find some flu protection through the nasal mist that officials recommended, but the 'Aiea resident couldn't find any yesterday.
Rosen said the mist has not been shipped yet. She said health officials will be checking on when it will become available and will notify the public when it does.
Graham, who is not in a high-risk group, understands the need to save the vaccine for those most in need. But she hopes the mist can help her and others to stay healthier.
"I believe that it saves time away from work. Personally, you don't affect your family and those you work with," Graham said.
Bloomberg News service contributed to this report. Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
Most people were in one of the high-risk categories: over 65 years of age. A few, however, were not considered high risk and were turned away without a shot.
Hopeful flu shot recipients wait in line at Times Super Market in Liliha for the vaccination. For tips on how to avoid the flu.
Howard Char, who lives near Valley of the Temples, said he showed up yesterday at Times to get his annual flu shot after finding out that another clinic at Longs Drugs had been canceled because of the shortage.
Jean Muragin of Kalihi gets a flu shot from Shannon Mitchell at the Liliha Times. The clinic was run by The Medical Corner.
She said some people will object to the limitation.
HOW TO AVOID THE FLU SHOTS
