HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- As a result of flu vaccine shortage, The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PMS) and the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) are partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to assess the amount of flu vaccine available in Pennsylvania at physician offices and hospitals across the state.
“We have urged our members to provide us immediately with information about their vaccine inventories and anticipated needs,” said HAP President and CEO Carolyn F. Scanlan. “Pennsylvania’s hospitals are committed to working with the Department of Health and the medical community to respond effectively to this shortage.”
“Physicians across Pennsylvania are concerned that the flu shot shortage will cause harm to vulnerable patients,” said Jitendra M. Desai, M.D., president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. “That’s why we are working with the Department of Health and HAP to coordinate efforts so that physician and hospital supplies are ample to care for high-risk patients who need the vaccine most.”
“Clearly we face a difficult situation, but through working together we can help distribute vaccine to those most at risk first,” said Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson. “We appreciate all contributions to protect the public health.”
Dr. Johnson is also asking Pennsylvania community groups and businesses (such as college health centers and other businesses) that have bought vaccine for low-risk individuals to defer these vaccinations and to notify the Department of Health. This will allow the department to coordinate efforts to redistribute flu vaccine to high-risk populations.
If a provider has vaccine available, but is not going to administer it based on the new recommendations, the Department of Health will assist in the transfer of it to another provider. The department has set up a special provider’s flu vaccine line at (717) 787-5681, and it will be staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Physicians, hospitals, other health-care providers, community organizations and government agencies nationwide are affected by the shortage. While there is concern about the supply of flu vaccine in Pennsylvania, public health experts are reminding everyone that the first flu cases in the state typically don’t arrive until late November or early December. This gives state, local public health and medical partners plenty of time to get as many high-risk people vaccinated as possible before the flu season actually arrives.
Health officials say that it will be especially important this year for people to use other infection control measures to help control flu outbreaks by encouraging people to stay home from work or school when they are sick, and to use good hand-washing practices and good respiratory hygiene.
If you have questions about influenza, call the Department of Health’s toll-free number at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visit http://www.health.state.pa.us/.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
CONTACT: Richard McGarvey, Pennsylvania Department of Health, +1-717-576-3077 - cell