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HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES
CDC orders change in flu vaccine use
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed its guidelines for flu vaccination because the nation’s major supplier of the vaccine announced Tuesday (Oct. 5) that the supply scheduled for future distribution to health care centers was contaminated.
At this time, and subject to change in the future, the CDC is recommending that only high-risk groups receive the remaining vaccinations, and that healthy adults defer receiving the vaccine. In compliance with these guidelines, Harvard University Health Services (UHS) will continue to operate its October flu clinics, but for the immediate future will only be vaccinating high-risk patients who meet the following criteria:
During the October clinics, UHS will be screening everyone who arrives for high-risk status before providing a vaccination. It is UHS's hope that vaccines from alternative sources will be available at some point in the future, but for now, UHS will be limiting vaccinations to people included in the CDC guidelines. Faculty, students, and staff should check UHS's Web site (http://www.huhs.harvard.edu/) and the Gazette for schedules and informational updates.
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