Surgeon General: High-risk patients get first flu shots

In a CNN interview on Wednesday, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher urged high-risk patients to get a flu shot before November     WEB EXCLUSIVE On the scene with CNN's Holly Firfer in Atlanta, GA

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Health care providers are being urged to "just say no" when healthy people ask for flu shots so that delayed supplies can reach people with the most critical needs first.

"We're urging through the month of November that health care providers focus first on immunizing the elderly, the chronically ill and women who will be in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season," U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher said Wednesday. "Those (are the) groups who are most at risk."

Healthy individuals are being encouraged to wait until December to seek immunization against influenza, which causes an estimated 20,000 deaths yearly in the United States, mostly among such high-risk populations. Waiting should cause little concern, authorities said.

Odds are good that all who desire flu vaccination should be able to receive it "before the season hits high gear," said Dr. Keiji Fukada, chief of the influenza epidemiology section at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

AUDIO Hear a selection of Surgeon General David Satcher's comments Influenza is a defeatable enemy 384K WAV sound The nation's flu vaccine strategy 448K WAV sound

Should you get a flu shot?: You are at the highest risk for complications from the flu if: You are over 64 Or, at any age, have chronic heart or lung disorders, including asthma; or diabetes; kidney disease or a weakened immune system You will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season It is also important for health care workers and family members who are in contact with high-risk patients to receive vaccinations Source: The Associated Press

While specific predictions of flu season virulence are difficult, experience is some guide. And 14 out of the past 18 flu seasons have not peaked until January, Satcher noted.

"We're not denying that we have a problem," the surgeon general said. "We'd love to immunize as many people as possible as early as possible. But we don't expect the delay to have a major impact on the epidemic."

Vaccine shipment was delayed because of some now-solved manufacturing problems. Contrary to earlier fears, and some erroneous media reports, the CDC insists there is no impending shortage. Some 75 million doses of flu vaccine are expected to be distributed -- about the same as in other years.

"Too many adults are missing valuable opportunities to prevent the spread of flu and pneumonia by not getting immunized," said Satcher.

Very young children -- also considered high-risk -- may need two doses of the vaccine spaced one month apart, added Fukada.

In addition, vaccinating 1 million elderly individuals against influenza can prevent some 900 deaths and 1,300 hospitalizations a year, Fukada said.

There have been other glitches in this year's flu vaccine season as well. Vaccine makers have acknowledged shipping doses to large corporations for employee-vaccination programs ahead of many doctors, who have complained at their inability to acquire the vaccine for their patients -- high-risk or healthy.

Washington physician Raymond Scalettar said he is angry that his sickest patients have to wait.

This is another reason to prioritize doses of the vaccine now that they are becoming available, health authorities said.

"We urge high-risk persons to remain patient, but persistent with their health care providers to obtain their annual flu vaccines, when it becomes available," Satcher said.

Doctors say a flu shot can take up to two weeks after vaccination to become fully effective.

Some experts predict flu season could be grim
October 24, 2000
Flu shot lowers risk for second heart attack, study shows
March 13, 2000
Experts advise flu shots, even for many healthy people
October 4, 1996

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Flu vaccine Update
National Institutes of Health

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.