Production Delay Postpones La. Flu Vaccinations

NEW ORLEANS - WDSU .com

Louisiana is postponing its free statewide seasonal flu vaccination program, which was set to kick off Friday, because of a delay in the production of the vaccine.

But officials with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals said Thursday that 65,000 doses are on the way.

"Unfortunately the vaccine is taking longer to grow in eggs, and that's the way that it's produced," said Dr. Takeisha Davis with DHH. "It's not something that can be rushed, and three of the five manufacturers in the U.S. are having that issue."

So for now, the state's mass vaccination program is being delayed. Two of the seasonal flu vaccine manufacturers did not produce and deliver the full amount ordered by Louisiana.

"Two years ago, we vaccinated over 4,000 residents of the area in one day, at one site. We were actually looking to quadruple that and vaccinate up to 16,000 folks," Davis said.

There's no word on exactly when the state will get the vaccine.

"We're waiting for it, any day now, but because we're unable to give the seasonal flu vaccine tomorrow at no cost, we will be providing H1N1 vaccine to anybody who shows up to one our health unit sites," Davis said.

But keep in mind the H1N1 vaccine will only be available for people in the following target groups: pregnant women, healthcare providers, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and those who have medical conditions like diabetes asthma or heart conditions.

Doctors say the bottom line is that you may want to consider getting both shots, because it could save your life.

"It's important for everyone this year to get a seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine because the flu is a serious illness and unfortunately causes several thousand deaths every year," Davis said.

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