Swine flu focus causes a temporary shortage of seasonal flu vaccine

While colleges nationwide are scrambling to guard campuses against swine flu epidemics, protection against the annual seasonal flu virus has become a lower priority. Smith is currently facing a temporary shortage of the seasonal flu vaccine, as manufacturers following government recommendations have slowed production of seasonal flu vaccines to prepare the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. Health Services has canceled drop-in seasonal flu vaccination clinics while they wait for the bulk of the seasonal flu vaccines ordered last year to arrive, said Dr. Leslie Jaffe, Smith's head physician and director of Health Services.

"We placed our order last year, and we had been asking the distributor when we would receive the other several hundred," Jaffe said. "We were aware that it was taking more and more time, then the state of Massachusetts put out an announcement of a delay in manufacture. At that point, we realized that it was not unique to us, but a widespread issue."

According to Jaffe, Health Services usually gives about 400 vaccinations in a normal flu season. Currently, only about 150 have been administered.

The national Centers for Disease Control recommended that commercial vaccine providers emphasize manufacturing H1N1 vaccines over seasonal flu vaccines, Jaffe said. This has decreased availability of seasonal vaccines at many colleges in the area.

Extensive coverage of swine flu has increased demand for seasonal flu vaccinations, another reason for the shortage. Seasonal vaccines were distributed earlier than usual this year, following CDC directions.

"Knowing that everyone will get the H1N1 vaccine in October, we want to have the seasonal vaccine out of the way by then," Jaffe said. "It's also a way of preventing seasonal flu from becoming an issue this year."

Health Services expects to receive more seasonal flu vaccinations by the end of October, when vaccine clinics will be scheduled and announced to students.

Colleges have been advised to stress swine flu prevention because of the demographics of H1N1 patients. While young children and the elderly are at the greatest risk for seasonal flu, college students and young adults are the largest group contracting the new swine flu virus.

"There are many, many more people susceptible to H1N1 than seasonal flu, and since it's a new virus, the anticipation is that it will likely be the dominant flu virus this fall," Jaffe said.

In a regular flu season, Health Services orders several hundred seasonal flu vaccines from a commercial manufacturer, priced at $20 for students and staff.

This year, the government will also supply enough free H1N1 vaccines for all students and college personnel. Smith ordered about 3,600 H1N1 vaccines, which Jaffe said may begin to arrive in early October. The vaccines will be distributed on a weekly basis, and students will be able to use a Web-based sign-up system to schedule a time to get a vaccination.

"Over time, we will have enough [swine flu vaccines] for everyone," Jaffe said.

In the meantime, some important behaviors can decrease the risk for contracting the flu. According to Wellness Education Director Emily Nagoski, the most important preventive step is frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer. Sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all campus buildings.

Sleep, hydration and proper nutrition are also important, Nagoski added, noting that students who get less than seven hours of sleep each night are at three times more risk for contracting the flu.

Visit the Health Service's Web site, www.smith.edu/health, for more information and updates.