The National Institutes of Health is sponsoring a study to find out if half-doses of the flu vaccine provide the same protection as full doses in healthy adults. Results of this study won't be available to have an impact on this year s shortage. But if the half-doses work, doctors will have one more tool to combat future flu vaccine shortages. They may experience some soreness or redness or swelling where the shot was given. And if these problems do occur they usually begin and last only one to two days.
Life threatening reactions are very rare.
They do occur almost immediately if there is a severe allergic reaction. The patient needs to see a doctor immediately. WMH ordered 1200 doses and have received one-quarter of this requested supply. So approximately 300 doses will be available at this Saturday s clinic. The next highest risk group that should receive the vaccine is healthcare workers and women in their 2 nd or 3 rd trimester of pregnancy.