Flu Vaccine Shortage Affects Salve

By: Jennifer Lunsford
Posted In: News

There is a shortage of flu vaccines this year and it’s causing uproar across the country. Many states are scrambling to find the necessary shots to immunize as many people as possible, especially those at high risk for catching the flu like the elderly, people with diabetes, chronic lung disease, and those with depressed immune systems.

The flu is a virus that infects the lining of the tubes that carry air into your lungs. Some symptoms include aching muscles, fever and chills, headache, dry cough, and weakness. A flu vaccine was created to reduce the chance of getting the flu by 75%.

Not only does Salve Regina currently not have any vaccines, the entire state of Rhode Island is presently without.

“Salve puts in an order every year and up until a couple weeks ago thought they would have a shipment in,” said Mary Kay Connell, the director of Health Services. Health Services is worried about not having necessary vaccinations for students with chronic medical conditions.

The problem arose when one of the two major vaccine suppliers, Chiron in England found that their supply was contaminated. The other supplier, Aventis, is working to produce more vaccines to make up for the shortage.

As of right now there is no promise of available vaccinations, but some larger businesses in the area have made offers to donate some vaccines.

“In the meantime, students who are at higher risk for contracting the flu or want to make sure they get a vaccine should contact their personal doctors or check the Rhode Island Department of Health website for possible clinics in the future or in other locations,” said Connell.

While we await available flu vaccinations there are things that everyone should do to prevent the spread of disease: