Flu shot shortages have already hit some US cities. Who gets priority?
An “unprecedented” demand for flu shots has already caused shortages at some pharmacies across the United States as the looming threat of a “twindemic” prompts Americans to get immunized early.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said “there are no significant delays in the distribution of influenza vaccine this season.” But if reported shortages continue, health experts say providers may have to decide who gets the flu shot first as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
The World Health Organization has suggested essential workers and older residents be prioritized as some countries, including the U.S., struggle to obtain additional vaccines ahead of peak flu season.
Next up are pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions and children ages 6 months to 5 years, the agency says.
“Whoever has extra flu vaccine let us know,” Ann Moen, WHO chief of influenza preparedness and response, said half-jokingly at a United Nations briefing in Geneva last week, according to Reuters.
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COVID-19 concerns coupled with annual anxieties brought on by the flu season are likely driving early demand for flu vaccines across the U.S., health experts say.
Capitol Heights Pharmacy in Denver said it pre-orderd about 400 flu shots prior to the pandemic, CBS4 reported. It quickly ran through the supply, running out on Saturday.
“I was told by three distributors that there might not be any supply after the pre-orders are fulfilled for anybody to order, for the rest of the season,” pharmacist Carly Callan told the news station.
Sporadic shortages have been reported in Minnesota, where health care providers say there’s “an unprecedented demand for the vaccine from our patients over the age of 65,” according to WCCO.
HealthPartners, a nonprofit insurance and health care provider in Minneosta, said it won’t have the high-dose shot, which is intended for older patients, until Oct. 7, the outlet reported Thursday. Allina Health, also in Minnesota, said it expects about 200,000 more doses of the stronger vaccine by this week.
A CVS Pharmacy in Fishers, Indiana, also reported running out of pediatric flu shots earlier this month, according to WISH-TV.
But CVS, one of the biggest pharmacy chains offering low-cost flu shots, said it doesn’t anticipate any “widespread” shortages this season.
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“We have a substantial inventory and are prepared to administer 18 million flu shots this flu season — more than twice the amount of last year,” a CVS spokesman told McClatchy News. “If a local store temporarily runs low on its supply due to high demand in the area, it will be replenished as quickly as possible.”
Walgreens expects up to a 50% increase in demand for flu, pneumonia and other immunizations this year, a spokesperson told McClatchy. Customers are encouraged to contact their local Walgreens ahead of time to verify flu shots are available.
“We continue to work closely with manufacturers to ensure there’s adequate supply this flu season,” the spokesperson said.
The CDC recommends getting a flu shot in early fall, or by the end of October.
