No shortage of flu vaccine this year

After two straight years of flu vaccine shortages and production delays, health officials say record numbers of vaccines will be available this year.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health last month released a notice to all health officials claiming flu vaccine manufacturers are predicting they will produce more than 100 million vaccine doses this year, which would be a record amount.

Local officials say they haven't received their first shipments of vaccine, but they are planning flu shot clinics for this fall. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's Web site, an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of U.S. citizens get the flu every year, of which more than 200,000 are hospitalized and 36,000 die.

In Westwood, Health Director Linda Shea said yesterday she is planning a mass immunization clinic Dec. 8 at the high school. Shea said the town's volunteer Medical Reserve Corps will help administer the shots as part of what will essentially be a dry run on the town's emergency dispensing plan.

Shea anticipates the town will get roughly 1,000 doses this year, which is average for the town that immunizes only residents over age 50.

Depending on the popularity of the Dec. 8 clinic, Shea said other clinics might be scheduled throughout the winter to ensure every dose is administered.

"We may do one at the Senior Center or something like that if we feel there is a need, but it's really hard to be doing four, five and six of these a year because you need to organize the event and get the manpower to run it," said Shea.

Caritas Norwood Hospital infection control manager Wanda Carey said the hospital is planning some clinics in November to administer shots to all age groups. Since heavy flu seasons directly affect the hospital, Carey said the key is immunizing as many people as possible.

"We definitely see a bump in admissions (due to the flu)," said Carey. "And the emergency room is particularly impacted since a lot of people seek care in ERs if they don't have a primary physician or can't get an appointment."

Carey said it's hard to predict if it will be a bad flu season, but said she's a little worried since last year was relatively mild for flu outbreaks.

"I think sometimes after a fairly light year, some people may not think they need the vaccine and get a false sense of security," said Carey.

Carey said the hospital will again be administering nasal spray vaccines, which she said have proven popular.

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of nasal spray vaccinations for children between 2 and 5 years old. Previously, the spray was only approved for children 5 and older and healthy adults under age 50.

Carey expects many people to take advantage of the spray option.

"The nasal spray is great," said Carey, who has taken it in the past. "Some people are needle-phobic, so it's a great option for them."

The side effects are better, too, said Carey, since instead of a bruised arm from the shot, nasal spray patients may only get a runny nose.

Carey recommends people get vaccinated starting in October or November and said people can get shots through December or January, if needed.

Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or at bfalla@cnc.com