# The Flu Vaccine Shortage **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 15, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-vaccine-shortage/269389 "2004-10-15T15:41:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-vaccine-shortage/269389/1 "2004-10-15T15:41:26Z")
I keep hearing about how we’re running low on this year’s flu vaccine, so they are saving it for “those who need it most.” Who would that be exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-vaccine-shortage/269389/2 "2004-10-15T16:13:47Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > I keep hearing about how we’re running low on this year’s flu vaccine, so they are saving it for “those who need it most.” > > Who would that be exactly? Well, that would be those people who are most at risk of serious and/or fatal outcomes from the flu itself, or from secondary infections related to the flu. Like the elderly who may not be able to fight it off. Like asthmatics who would generally develop secondary infections (I did, the one year I had the flu as an adult). Like young kids whose immune systems aren’t fully developed. Like people who are immune-compromised. Flu is no walk in the park even if you start out healthy. If you start out in subprime condition, it’ll knock you out for longer. Maybe permanently. **Qadgop** or some other medical types here may be able to add more. I’m just stressing that (even though I’m high risk) the vaccine seems to be completely unavailable around here. But thanks for the reminder - I must nag my 75-year-old one-lunged cancer-patient mom about this! (hopefully she’s extremely high priority for whatever vax is available). ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-vaccine-shortage/269389/3 "2004-10-15T16:26:27Z")
The [CDC says](http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm): > [@](#): > > The following priority groups for vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine this season are considered to be of equal importance and are: > > all children aged 6–23 months; > adults aged 65 years and older; > persons aged 2–64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions; > all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; > residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; > children aged 6 months–18 years on chronic aspirin therapy; > health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and > out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged \<6 months. I happen to be a health-care worker involved in direct patient care, so I was recently vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-vaccine-shortage/269389/4 "2004-10-15T16:37:22Z")
My mother tried to get vaccinated this year. The local hospital told her that they had no vaccine on hand, and did not expect to get any this year :eek: So unless you _really_ need the shot, forget about it. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-vaccine-shortage/269389/5 "2004-10-15T16:42:32Z")
I have asthma and use an inhaler 2-3 times a week in the winter season, and my doctor’s office called me this morning to advise that they have reserved a shot in my name, and they want me to come in ASAP to get it. I wasn’t sure if I met the criteria, but apparently I do. They’ve also reserved shots for both of my babies (even though my daughter is somewhat over the upper limit for toddlers, she poses a risk to me) so we’ll be heading over there tomorrow morning. (Yes, I give them kudos for their exceptional service.)