Shortage limits flu vaccines to children

INDIANAPOLIS -- The state said Tuesday it had obtained less than half the additional flu vaccine it had sought to meet an unexpected demand, and would limit those doses to children.\nThe Indiana State Department of Health reported it will receive 4,450 more doses of flu vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Officials had said Monday they hoped to find up to 20,000 doses of the vaccine.\nThe additional vaccine will be given only to children under 18 as part of the Vaccine for Children programs at local health departments and the offices of participating doctors, said Margaret Joseph, the health department's spokeswoman. Officials had hoped to provide vaccine to all 800 sites, but that may have to be re-evaluated, she said.\nPublic demand for vaccinations has jumped since more than 10 children in four states died from the virus. People have packed doctor's offices and clinics across the state.\nOther groups outside state government were also trying to obtain more vaccine.\nJust two U.S. companies produce flu shots. Swiftwater, Pa.-based Aventis Pasteur said Tuesday it had set aside 250,000 doses of the vaccine and is awaiting instructions from the CDC on how to distribute them. Chiron Corp. of Emeryville, Calif., said it does not have a similar reserve.\nThe vaccine for Indiana comes from Aventis Pasteur.