Geisinger expects sufficient supply of flu vaccine this year

DANVILLE- Geisinger Health System expects to have enough supplies of the flu vaccine to meet all of its patients’ needs for the coming season, the system announced today. 

High risk patients will start receiving the vaccine in September, with shots available for the rest of the public available in October and November, said Dean Parry, RPh, Geisinger's director of clinical pharmacy programs. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the list of approved producers this week. Geisinger has ordered vaccine from four of the approved producers, and the first shipment should arrive by the end of the month, Parry said. 

There have been flu vaccine shortages in recent years. However, barring unforeseen circumstances, there shouldn’t be supply or production problems this year, Parry said.

“We’re looking good,” Parry said. “Geisinger patients who need flu shots this coming fall and winter should be able to receive one.”
####