Manufacturing problems have led to a delay and possibly ashortage of this year’s supply of the flu vaccine, according tohealth officials.

“The company waited until later to make sure they got the rightvaccine because last year they missed a strain,” said Chris Smith,a registered nurse at the Lincoln County Health Department.

Even though the vaccine may be more effective this year becauseresearchers waited longer, the delay may cause a rush when thevaccines are distributed.

“We always get it around September or October, but we won’t begetting any until November this year,” said Becky Calcote, countycoordinate nurse at the health department.

The health department is unsure exactly when in November theywill receive flu vaccinations, but they will make sure LincolnCounty residents are aware of the arrival.

“We will notify (the public) when it comes in and who it will beavailable to,” said Calcote.

Local health officials hope the delayed distribution will notcome too late to prevent the flu from affecting residents in thearea.

Vaccinations are typically given between September and Novemberin order to allow time for the vaccine to take affect before fluseason officially starts in November.

The delay could also lead to a shortage, said Dr. Paul Glezen,an epidemiologist with the Influenza Research Center at BaylorCollege of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Glezen urges individuals considered at-risk to schedule theirshots as soon as the vaccine is available. The vaccines willinitially be limited to high-risk individuals.

“Our first priority is taking care of people who are at risk forcomplications from the flu and the people who are in close contactwith them, namely caregivers and health care workers,” saidGlezen.

Groups considered at-risk are seniors ages 65 and older,pregnant women, people with chronic heart and lung diseases andpeople with diabetes, kidney disease or a weakened immunesystem.

Over 70 million Americans are considered at-risk forcomplications from the flu.

Vaccine providers are being asked to develop contingency plansif a flu vaccine shortage develops, added Glezen.