Flu shots in higher demand but still available

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • Academy Spirit staff writer
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  As the flu virus continues to spread, more people want a flu shot this year. Although no longer offered to the general public at the Academy, officials from the allergy and immunization clinic here said there isn't a shortage of the vaccine and that it's still available throughout clinics in the city.

"Right now we only have vaccine for cadets and active-duty assigned to this base," said Master Sgt. Shonteau Travis, an alternate Air Force enlisted allergy and immunization consultant here.

"Initially, it was available to everyone when we first offered it in September, for any beneficiary, whether they were Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines or Coast Guard," she said. "We haven't had a shortage of the vaccine -- more people are just wanting it later."

Maj. Christopher Webber, chief of the allergy and immunizations clinic, said the Academy receives their supply from the Defense Department. He said last year they received about the same dosage, but 1,000 doses were wasted.

"Last year we had 14,000 doses and had 1,000 doses expire because the population didn't want it," Webber said. "This year we received 13,000 doses and were finished by Dec. 25. It was on a first come, first served basis and our office wasn't just limited to the Academy but was also open to those from Peterson (Air Force Base), Fort Carson, Schriever (AFB) and Buckley (AFB)."

Travis said families here can still receive the vaccine at other locations in Colorado Springs and can visit the TriWest Healthcare Web site, www.Triwest.com, to view what is available in the civilian sector.

"Once they find an approved pharmacy, please call ahead of time because it's still a covered benefit based on the information that is up to date on your TriWest card," Webber said.

Dr. Bill Letson, a medical examiner at the El Paso County Health Department, said it's possible to order new supplies of the vaccine and get them quickly.

"There are not true vaccine shortages for influenza so far in the U.S.," Letson said. "There have been problems with clinical vaccine providers under anticipating the size of the outbreak and under ordering. This has also been the case in El Paso County."

Letson said private providers with adequate supply -- including physicians, pharmacies and Health Maintenance Organizations -- are still offering the flu shot.

"El Paso County Public Health also offers vaccination for uninsured people," Letson said.

The flu season begins every year in the fall, Webber said.

"This year is no different than any other year in terms of time period," Webber said. "There has been either more of a virulent strain, less prior vaccinations or more attention because there have been a cluster of outbreaks."

Everyone, especially high-risk patients, should get the flu shot, Webber said.

"High-risk patients include children six months to 18 years of age, adults 50 years or older, pregnant women and adults with chronic medical conditions," he said.

According to Travis, the flu season is not over and has the potential to last until May. The vaccine is mandatory for all cadets and active-duty here, she said.

"The flu shot needs to be annual shot," she said. Getting it this year doesn't necessarily protect you next year and we'll be starting again in September."

It takes approximately two weeks for a complete immune response to develop to vaccine antigens that are entirely new to a person, Letson said.

"The longer one has lived and the more exposure one has had to a variety of influenza strains, the quicker one may develop a strong immune response," Letson said. "This is why young children generally require two doses rather than one."

Webber said the benefits of the flu shot outweigh the risks.

"No vaccine guarantees you won't get the illness, but if you don't get it, you run the risk of getting the flu and if you get the flu, you can get complications from the flu," Webber said.

The vaccine protects recipients against three influenza viruses: influenza B viruses, influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and influenza A (H3N2) viruses, Travis said.

"Washing your hands is the number one way to prevent it," Travis said. "If you're not able to do that, use hand sanitizer."