The two companies that make the flu vaccine say they’re out. But the state’s top doc says the state has taken steps to boost supply in Iowa. State epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk had heard the supply of flu vaccine in Iowa wasn’t meeting demand, so she had the state buy an “emergency supply” of the vaccine which will be distributed to every county health department in Iowa. While there has been heavy demand in Iowa, Quinlisk says flu shots are still available in Iowa and the state bought the “emergency supply” to make sure there’s enough. Quinlisk is urging Iowans in “high-risk” groups, like the elderly and folks with health problems, to get a flu shot. Quinlisk has some advice for Iowans who think they have the flu. Quinlisk says if you’ve got the flu, stay home. The two companies that make the flu vaccine made about 80 MILLION doses for U.S. distribution this year, which normally would be enough to meet demand. But the recent outbreak of the flu has caused a surge in demand. Both companies that make the flu vaccine say they can’t make more to meet this year’s demand because the process takes four months.
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