FARMINGTON – Like many hospitals throughout the nation, Franklin Memorial Hospital is experiencing a shortage of flu vaccine.
“At this time, we have no flu vaccine to administer to anyone,” said Dr. Rod Prior, medical director at Franklin Memorial Hospital. “We are working with the state to try to secure some vaccine.”
Prior noted that if the hospital receives some flu vaccine, preference will be given to those groups at highest risk of the flu. “We will keep the public informed about the supply through local newspapers and radio,” said Prior.
“In the meantime, people who are in the high risk group might consider calling their primary care physician to discuss their need for flu vaccine.”
For those at high risk who don’t have a primary care physician, Prior said they should call the Healthy Community Coalition at 645-3136 to leave their name and phone number. The coalition will monitor what the high risk need will be for this area and will offer flu shots should vaccine become available.
In accordance with state and federal guidelines, the following are high priority groups for receiving flu vaccine:
• All children aged 6 to 23 months.
• Adults aged 65 years and older.
• Persons aged 2 to 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions.
• All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
• Children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy.
• Health-care workers involved in direct patient care.
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged under 6 months.
More information on flu vaccine may be obtained on the Internet at www.MainePublicHealth.Gov or by calling the Maine Flu Vaccine Hotline at 1-888-257-0990 or the Maine Immunization Program’s Provider Line, especially for childhood vaccine-related issues, at 1-800-867-4775.
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