you may have heard in the media, it is anticipated that there will be a shortage of flu vaccines for the 2004-2005 flu season. Because of this shortage, the CDC has coordinated with its Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) to issue interim recommendations for influenza vaccination during the 2004�2005 flu season. These interim recommendations were formally updated by ACIP on December 22, 2004.

One of the companies that make flu shots was not able to have it available for this flu season. This caused the flu shot supply to be short by almost one half of the expected amount.

Yes. As long as you are exposed to the virus you can get it - FluShoc helps strengthen immune support for your good health.*

Currently, an estimated 100 million doses of influenza vaccine from all of the licensed manufacturers is expected to be available for the 2006-2007 flu season.

A. Under the current U.S. National Health and Human Services Plan little if any of the necessary medication would be coming to the San Juans. There are about 6 million courses of medication for the entire nation as of the end of 2005. To complicate matters further, resistance to that particular drug seems to be on the rise. In short, here in the islands we will likely be looking at taking care of our sick much like they did in 1918 (keeping the patient warm, hydrated, and cared for).

In addition to the flu virus, several other respiratory viruses also can circulate during the flu season and can cause symptoms and illness similar to those seen with flu infection. These non-flu viruses include rhinovirus (one cause of the "common cold") and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children as well as a leading cause of death from respiratory illness in those aged 65 years and older.

The number of flu shots available is limited for this season, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that certain people be given priority for getting the flu shot. People in the following groups should get a flu shot this season: These are people who are at high risk for serious flu complications or are in contact with people at high risk for serious flu complications.

Influenza vaccination usually begins in September and October in the VA health care system, and continues through March or April.

It is not possible to accurately predict in advance what type of flu season we are going to have. Historically, A (H3N2) viruses have been associated with more-severe flu seasons during which higher numbers of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.

The Canadian supply comes from manufacturing facilities in Quebec (ID Biomedical) and France (Aventis).

The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider an influenza pandemic a serious public health threat. Pharmaceutical interventions such as flu vaccines might not be available at the time of a pandemic influenza outbreak. Therefore, we are evaluating the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions for preventing the spread of seasonal influenza. Return to top

In the United States, the peak of flu season can occur anywhere from late December through March. The health impact (infections and deaths) of a flu season varies from year to year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, only those in the following high risk groups should receive a flu vaccine: Adults and children with a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS or heart disease Only a small number of Wesleyan students will fall into one of these categories. A limited number of vaccine doses are in stock at the Health Center and will be held for high-priority individuals.

You may not donate blood while you have the flu, but can donate after being exposed to someone with the flu if you're feeling well and have no symptoms. The American Red Cross Blood Services is committed to making sure no patient goes without the blood he or she needs. The American Red Cross consistently meets the blood needs of all local hospitals.

And most importantly, we'll keep you informed on the most recent developments so that you and your loved ones will not be caught unawares. You'll receive advance warning so that you will have time to take actions to protect yourself and those close to you. Vaccines are biological agents that stimulate the body to produce antibodies or other immunity. Influenza vaccines produce antibodies against strains closely related to the strains of the virus contained in the vaccine.

The need for organs continues to grow at an alarming rate and is truly a public health crisis. There are currently more than 94,000 men, women, and children in the United States waiting for a life-saving transplant. More than 2,500 of these individuals live in the Upper Midwest. Every 13 minutes another name is added to the national waiting list, and each day 17 people die while they wait for their transplant.

Pandemic influenza is caused by an influenza virus that is new to people. Seasonal flu is caused by viruses that already exist among people. We have vaccines that help protect against the seasonal flu. No one would have defenses (immunity) to a new influenza virus. Currently there is no vaccine to protect us from a pandemic influenza strain.

There are two types of vaccines that protect against the flu. The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. A different kind of vaccine, called the nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes referred to as LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine), was approved in 2003. The nasal-spray flu vaccine contains attenuated (weakened) live viruses, and is administered by nasal sprayer.

Both flu vaccines (the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)) work in the same way; they cause antibodies to develop in the body, and these antibodies provide protection against influenza virus infection.

No. Influenza vaccine is currently available both with thimerosal as a preservative and preservative-free. For the 2004-05 influenza season, it is likely that 6-8 million doses of inactivated influenza vaccine without thimerosal as a preservative will be available. This represents a substantial increase in the available amount of inactivated influenza vaccine without thimerosal as a preservative, compared with about 3.2 million doses that were available during the 2003-04 influenza season.

A vaccine that gives good protection against a pandemic virus can only be developed after that virus strain appears. Such a vaccine may take several months to develop and produce. The Commonwealth Government has arrangements in place to develop a vaccine against a pandemic influenza virus as soon as such a virus emerges. The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against pandemic flu.

Vaccine materials are generally grown on egg=based media. According to pathologist Dr. Jerry Marcus, "As far as I can ascertain, there is no such thing as a vegan flu shot. Nobody I spoke to could envision a flu vaccine being made which would be vegan." We have a few bumperstickers, buttons and a t-shirt. Our catalog items are at: www.vrg.org/catalog/tshirt.htm and www.vrg.org/catalog/bumper.htm. Are you familiar with Pangea? They have both an online and paper catalog. www.veganstore.com.

No. The creators confirmed that at San Diego Comic Con in July, 2007. Other stories will be told in the Avatar world and of course there are the upcoming live action movies, but the animated series ends with Book 3: Fire.

The flu can lead to pneumonia and has been reported to have hospitalized 200,000 and killed 36,000 people each year.