'Spot' shortages of flu vaccine, Tamiflu reported

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Facebook users really 'liked' organ donor option
Facebook users really 'liked' organ donor option
Adding an organ donation option to the average Facebook user's profile prompted a dramatic rise in potential donors, researchers report.
Adding an organ donation option to the average Facebook user's profile prompted a dramatic rise in potential donors, researchers report.
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Could 'moderate' drinking be safe during pregnancy?
Children of women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol while pregnant don't appear to have any neurodevelopmental problems when it comes to balance, a new British study suggests.
Children of women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol while pregnant don't appear to have any neurodevelopmental problems when it comes to balance, a new British study suggests.
Concussion damage looks much like early Alzheimer's
Concussion damage looks much like early Alzheimer's
Concussion can lead to damage in the white matter of the brain that resembles abnormalities found in people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.
Concussion can lead to damage in the white matter of the brain that resembles abnormalities found in people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.
Many Americans want health care via smartphone
Many Americans want health care via smartphone
Plenty of Americans are eager to use their mobile phones and tablet computers to better manage their health care, a new poll finds -- though the nation has a way to go before we're all consulting Dr. Smartphone.
Plenty of Americans are eager to use their mobile phones and tablet computers to better manage their health care, a new poll finds -- though the nation has a way to go before we're all consulting Dr. Smartphone.
Scans uncover dangerous hardening of abdominal aorta
Scans uncover dangerous hardening of abdominal aorta
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TUESDAY, Jan. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Sporadic shortages of both the flu vaccine and the flu treatment Tamiflu are being reported, as this year's intense flu season continues, according to a top U.S. health official.

"We have received reports that some consumers have found spot shortages of the vaccine," Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said Monday on her blog on the agency's website.

Hamburg said that the agency is "monitoring this situation and will update you at our website and at www.flu.gov."

So far, more than 128 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed, Hamburg said, but not all the doses have been administered to people yet.

She said that people who already have the flu may also be experiencing local shortages of Tamiflu, a drug that can help treat influenza.

"We do anticipate intermittent, temporary shortages of the oral suspension form of Tamiflu -- the liquid version often prescribed for children -- for the remainder of the flu season. However, FDA is working with the manufacturer to increase supply," she said.

Hamburg also noted that "FDA-approved instructions on the label provide directions for pharmacists on how to compound a liquid form of Tamiflu from Tamiflu capsules."

Flu season typically peaks in January or February but can extend as late as May. This flu season is turning out to be more severe than last year's, many experts say.

Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that 47 states were reporting widespread influenza activity, although flu case numbers were beginning to subside in some regions, especially in the Southeast where flu showed up first.

It's still not too late to get the flu shot to help protect you, Hamburg stressed. She noted that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response to provide protection against the flu.

"The flu vaccine is moderately effective this year, and people who are vaccinated have about a 60 percent lower risk of getting the flu compared to someone who is not vaccinated," Dr. Edward Belongia, an epidemiologist at the CDC, said in a statement released Friday.

People who want to get vaccinated can visit flu.gov, click on the "Flu Vaccine Finder," enter their zip code and find a list of clinics, supermarkets, pharmacies and other flu vaccination locations in their neighborhoods.

But before you go to one of the locations, call ahead to confirm that they have the flu vaccine, Hamburg advised.

According to recommendations from the CDC, all adults and children who are at least 6 months old should receive a flu vaccination each year. The best time to get vaccinated is in the fall.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about the flu and flu vaccine.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

'Spot' shortages of flu vaccine, Tamiflu reported - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

'Spot' shortages of flu vaccine, Tamiflu reported

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