Washington, D.C. – Congressman Heath Shuler urged the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that rural areas receive their share of the H1N1 vaccine, which remains in short supply during the start of this year's flu season.
“A lack of access to health care is already a major problem in rural areas, such as Western North Carolina, which I represent. It is critical that those in rural areas have equal access to the H1N1 vaccine,” Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville, wrote in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Friday.
Vaccine production for the H1N1 flu virus has fallen behind schedule, according to federal health officials. Originally predicting that 120 million doses of the vaccine would be available by now, the current estimate is that only 30 million will be available by the end of October.
Some hospitals, schools and clinics in Western North Carolina have reported receiving limited amounts of vaccine while others have ample supplies. But when vaccines run out in rural areas, people must drive much further to find alternative supplies, and those without access to transportation can be denied treatment.
Congressman Shuler also asked federal officials to do everything possible to speed up the production of H1N1 flu vaccines.
“I strongly urge you to increase production of H1N1 vaccines, and to request that you direct the Centers for Disease Control to work with state Health Departments to ensure sufficient distribution to rural areas,” Congressman Shuler wrote. “Please take the necessary steps to ensure that every at-risk patient can be given this lifesaving, preventative treatment.”
###
