Yale turns over 5,000 extra flu shots to New Haven

October 27, 2004|Associated Press

NEW HAVEN -- Yale University is providing the city of New Haven with 5,000 flu shots to help during a national shortage of the vaccine for the ill and elderly.

The vaccine doses, which were in excess of what Yale needed, will be provided at cost to the city, Yale said.

Yale had long ago ordered vaccine for many of the 25,000 employees, students, faculty, and staff, who were able to get vaccinated on demand through Yale University Health Services. Each dose cost about $10.

Since a manufacturing problem in Great Britain created national shortages, Yale decided to follow US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which recommend that the vaccine be given to people 65 and older, young children, health care workers, and the chronically ill.

Yale spokesman Thomas Conroy called the university's move "the ethical thing to do."

The city will distribute the vaccine through its health department.

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