IU short on flu vaccine

Imagine sitting in class and not being able to hear the professor over all the coughing and sneezing. This could only mean one thing -- flu season. \nThis year's season could be worse than usual, because the flu vaccine is in short supply. \nIn late June, the manufacturers of the Influenza vaccine warned the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control to expect delays in the shipments of the vaccine. They warned of the possibility of a shortage. \nThat shortage is now visible in communities across the nation. The IU Health Center is one of many places that hasn't yet received its shipment.\nDr. Hugh Jessop, Health Center director, said he has been told 16 percent of the vaccine that was ordered should be here soon, totaling about 900 shots. But this means only those who are considered at high risk for getting the flu will be able to get the vaccination, Jessop said. \n"If the amount comes it would be distributed starting most likely with faculty and staff above the age of 55 and students with cardiovascular or respiratory problems," Jessop said. \nAnother 53 percent of the total shipment is expected to be at the Health Center by the end of November, Jessop said. If this supply does arrive, he said students would have the opportunity to receive the vaccine between Thanksgiving and winter breaks. \n"We have preliminary plans with the dorms, but will not activate until we know for sure how much we receive," Jessop said. \nThe vaccine costs $8. \n"Everyone else is putting up the price, but we are keeping it the same. You paid a health fee and we aren't trying to make any money," Jessop said. \nBloomington Hospital currently has its supply and is giving vaccinations for $10 to people who are at high risk at Bloomington Community Health Services and at locations around the community. \n"So far we have given about 3,500 shots, which is about half of our supply," said Pat Bourne, director at Bloomington Community Health Services. \nSome doctors' offices with geriatric patients are administering the vaccine, Jessop said, but in the meantime IU has to wait. \nThe CDC identifies places that get the vaccine first and "IU is not a high priority because most of the students are pretty healthy and not at high risk of dying from the flu," Jessop said. \nActivity of the flu increases at different times each year. Last year it increased in November but didn't peak until late December and early January 2000, according to the CDC Web site. The best time to receive a flu shot is from October through mid-November, but the shot can be taken at any time during the flu season as long as the person is healthy, the Web site stated. \nTo stay healthy without the shot, or until it becomes available, is simple, Jessop said. \n"As silly as it might sound, the best thing students can do is wash their hands all the time, and get enough sleep. We can actually see a trend with finals and high stress levels and students getting ill."\nWhen the flu vaccine arrives at IU, the IU Health Center Web site, www.indiana.edu/~health, will announce vaccination times and restrictions.