Updated 10/16/2009

It is projected that a total of 114 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine will be available in the US this influenza season. As of October 2, 2009, about 82 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine have been distributed. This is approximately 72% of the total. More seasonal flu vaccine will become available in the coming weeks.

In Santa Clara County, we are currently experiencing a shortage of the seasonal flu vaccine. This shortage is temporary and a result for increased public demand for the vaccine and a slow down in the manufacturing process because some of the same manufacturers are also producing the H1N1 vaccine. The pandemic H1N1 influenza strain is the predominant virus that is currently circulating in the community, and not the seasonal flu virus. Santa Clara County Health Officer, Marty Fenstersheib, MD, would like to reassure county residents that the delay in receiving seasonal flu vaccine should not have a significant impact on the health of our community. We recommend that you contact your medical provider or commercial pharmacies in your area to check on the availability of the vaccine.

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. Seasonal flu is as much of a concern as it has always been and, once more of the vaccine is available, a regular flu shot will protect you and your family from the body aches, cough and misery of seasonal flu. But remember that the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you against the H1N1 virus.

Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that certain people get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious complications from the flu or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

Here’s who should get the seasonal flu vaccine each year:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday;
• Pregnant women;
• People 50 years of age and older;
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities ;
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
• • Health care workers;
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu;
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated).

And please remember, “ordinary” flu should not to be taken lightly. Each year in the United States, about 200,000 people are hospitalized with severe flu symptoms, and 36,000 die.

• Seasonal Flu Vaccine FAQs