State issues new flu shot priority list

Infectious disease specialist Michael T. Jelinek has not seen a single case of the flu this year.

"It's really too soon to say," he said about the upcoming second half of the influenza season.

Jelinek, a McAllen physician, said that while many people are worried about a shortage of flu vaccine, this year's flu season "has not been too bad."

Because of the shortage of injectable vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created priority target groups who should receive the shots.

Karen Hess, manager for Vaccine Services Group of the Texas Department of State Health said the shortage caused the priority group to focus on people older than 65, infants from 6 to 23 months, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women.

Hess said that DSHS supports the CDC's new recommendations, calling for an expansion of target groups beginning January 3.

The new guidelines encourage people 50 and older to get the vaccine as well as people who have close contact with those who would suffer severely if exposed to the virus.

Jelinek recommends that health care workers and "anybody working with the public" be vaccinated. Also, people who need dialysis or with lung diseases or heart conditions should get the shots.

"This is an excellent way to prevent illness for people at a high risk," Jelinek said, adding that despite the shortage, there is vaccine available.

"It's time to look again to your pharmacist or pediatrician," Jelinek said.

DSHS recommends that people who want a flu shot should contact their doctor, their local public health department, or the nearest DSHS office before the flu season ends in March, Hess said.

Because of the injected vaccine shortage, local pharmacists have another option: FluMist, an intranasal, inhaled flu vaccine containing live virus.

FluMist became available last year to people 5 to 49 years old.

Pharmacist Ramiro Barrera, owner of Richard's Pharmacy in Mission, said that while an injected influenza virus vaccine may take as long as 10 days to produce antibodies, the inhaled vaccine begins to work the moment it is introduced into the body.

"You're protected immediately," Barrera said.

Though FluMist's price was high last year, Valley pharmacists quoted prices under $21 per dose this year.

"This is not the time to make money," Barrera said. "It's time to help the community."

Shelley Parks, a corporate spokesperson for H-E-B said the nasal mist could be the best option for some.

"Sometimes people can't tolerate the shot or don't want to go in to the doctor," Parks said.

Symptoms of the flu are headache, pronounced fever (about 101.5 degrees), muscle aches and chills, Jelinek said.