Flu vaccine remains in short supply as first case hits Iowa

The State Department of Public Health says the shortage of flu vaccine continues just as the first case of the flu has been reported in Iowa. Department Director Steven Gleason says continued shortages have forced the state to limit the use of the vaccine to “high-risk” Iowans until December 15th.Dr. Gleason says it’s urgent that “high-risk” Iowans, such as the elderly, get the vaccine as soon as possible.Gleason says a child in Johnson County has been diagnosed with the flu. The child apparently caught the flu during a visit out-of-state. Gleason says the state will try to coordinate the distribution of the vaccine so it is given to high-risk individuals first.Gleason says there’ve been reports of some distributors trying to profit from the shortage by raising prices. He says the state will keep a close eye on those reports and refer and cases to the Iowa Attorney General.Gleason says there should be an ample supply of the vaccine to give shots to the general public by December 15th.