Preparations underway for flu epidemic

Author: Liz Campbell

On Nov. 14, the Parton Health Center announced the arrival of the first doses of flu vaccine for Middlebury College students. But of the 500 doses ordered, only 100 were initially received during the second week of November, followed by a mere 50 additional vaccines a week later. In response, the Health Center has been forced to limit vaccinations to a prioritized group of students. This vaccine shortage has caused significant concern among students and faculty that the flu will be more widespread on campus this winter.

The shortage is primarily due to a smaller production of flu vaccine by one of the main vaccine manufacturers and to a delay in its distribution this fall. Although the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that this year's supply of flu vaccine will reach 80 million doses by the beginning of December - a substantial amount considering the United States has never administered more than 83 million doses in a single year - many health care providers have not been able to obtain the vaccine.

"In early fall, we anticipated conducting a full-scale vaccine clinic for the students," said Terry Jenny, associate director of Parton Health Center. "When it was clear we would not be receiving the vaccine early in the season, we had to readjust our plan - awaiting the shipment of the vaccine. That's why we've had the limited clinic this year."

The CDC reported that, while Chiron Corp., a main manufacturer of flu vaccine, was expected to deliver 25-30 million doses of vaccine, it will most likely produce fewer than 18 million, with some estimates as low as 11 million doses. The United States experienced a similar shortage of vaccine last year when British regulators closed down Chiron Corp. following the discovery of contaminated vaccine, forcing the health center to limit the number of vaccines.

In accordance with guidelines set forth by the CDC, the doses that the College received this year were made available only to those who are determined to be at the greatest risk for serious complications from the flu. This applies to students who have chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders, including students who are asthmatics or are on steroidal medication, diabetics and students with respiratory diseases.

While the first 100 doses were reserved for those students at greatest risk, the additional 50 were put aside on a "first-call, first-serve" basis for the flu shot clinic at the Health Center on Nov. 21. A portion of those doses is still available, and students can call for an appointment for the vaccine until the supply runs out. As the flu season in Vermont typically begins in December or January and lasts through April, these vaccinations would still be effective.

Regarding severe outbreaks of the flu and other diseases on campus, the College has adhered to a formal disaster plan since 1996, which was developed as part of a comprehensive risk management program. Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson, Dean of the College Tim Spears and Assistant Treasurer Tom Corbin have been working with Director of Parton Health Center Mark Peluso to revise the College's emergency disaster plan for future outbreaks of disease.

"The original plan created in 1996 in many ways was committing to paper a process that was already in place," said Corbin. "Faculty and staff from many departments participated in the creation of the plan. Every couple of years, we review the plan to see what needs to be changed or updated. SARS, Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and now the avian flu have all caused us to review our emergency planning."

Increased outbreaks of the avian flu among humans and the government's recent plan to combat pandemic influence have increased awareness and concern of the disease throughout the country. In response, the College is taking significant steps to update its emergency disaster plan.

Hanson said, "The College wants to be prepared in case there is an outbreak on campus or in the local community. For this reason we are updating our disaster plan to include this kind of illness. We put together a good response to SARS, and we will use the framework for that to consider how to handle the avian flu."

Despite all these concerns, the flu season in the United States has been relatively mild thus far. "We have no documented cases of the flu on campus yet this year," said Jenny. "There is a misconception that all viruses or viral illnesses are the flu."

Nonetheless, the best way to avoid getting the flu is to get the vaccine each fall. While it does not guarantee 100 percent protection, it is 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu in healthy people under 65 years of age.

"We encourage people to follow the health practices outlined [by the CDC]," said Jenny. "And, yes, we do encourage people to get the flu shot. It absolutely helps to stem the spread of infection and is for the greater good of public health that people be immunized."

Students may schedule an appointment to receive one of a limited number of flu shots by contacting the Parton Health Center.