Experts: ‘High-dose’ flu shot in short supply

High-risk groups, such as seniors, might struggle to find vaccine

Laks Pudipeddi knows a lot of senior citizens in Bridgeport rely on him for their medical needs — and he feels like he is letting them down.

Pudipeddi, a pharmacist and part owner of Bridgeport Pharmacy, said that in April he ordered 100 doses of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, an injectable flu shot strongly recommended for those age 65 and older. But, as of Thursday, he had only received 40 doses.

“It’s definitely in short supply,” said Pudipeddi, who lives in Monroe. “I’ve been calling (the manufacturer) left and right, and all I do is hit a wall, with them saying ‘We don’t have it.’ ”

He is not alone, said Mick Bolduc, epidemiologist and vaccine coordinator for the state Department of Public Health.

Though the high-dose vaccine is available, people are having a hard time finding it, and often have to call several pharmacies before finding what they need.

“They may not be able to get it at their regular

pharmacy, and will have to go some place else,” Bolduc said. “I think it’s more to do with higher demand. I think the request has gone out to folks to get flu shot earlier this year.”

Indeed, health authorities have been pleading with people to get their flu shots this season, largely in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors hope more flu shots will lead to fewer flu cases, which could help prevent a potential “twindemic,” wherein there is a glut of COVID and flu cases at the same time.

But other experts, including Bridgeport Hospital infectious disease chief Dr. Zane Saul, said the hit-ormiss availability of highdose vaccine is likely due to a supply chain issue, that will hopefully be resolved in the near future.

Whatever the reason, Pudipeddi said he’s had to turn away people requesting the vaccine, because there isn’t enough to go around. “We serve a lot of older clients,” he said. “They want to protect themselves.”

Seniors are one of the demographics at highest risk from the flu, along with children, those with compromised immune systems and other groups. According to the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention, has four times the antigens — the part of the vaccine that helps the body build protection against flu viruses — than the regular vaccine.

Starting this year, the shot will be a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it protects against four strains of flu.

Bolduc said the state only provides vaccine for those 18 and younger. Adult vaccines are provided to pharmacies and local health departments either directly from manufacturers, or from a third-party vendor.

Not everyone is feeling the pressure of a low supply of high-dose vaccine. A spokesperson for CVS pharmacies said in an email that there were no shortages through the chain and none were anticipated.

At area health departments, supply varies. For instance, Carissa Caserta, assistant director for community health at Naugatuck Valley Health District, said in an email that the district has the vaccine and has had no issues receiving it, but “We have heard from several people who can’t find the high dose vaccine.”

In Fairfield, public health nurse Mary Ellen Dragicevich said the town received part of its order in September, and the remaining doses have been delayed three to four weeks. The town health department is now out of the high-dose vaccine, she said.

“We are told by the distributor that we can expect it to arrive during the second week of November,” Dragicevich said in an email. “We get many calls from people looking for the high dose vaccine daily.”

Bridgeport has some high-dose vaccine available, but it’s in limited quantities, said Lisa Morrissey, the city’s director of health.

Stratford health director Andrea Boissevain said her town never ordered highdose flu vaccine this year. “We opted for Flublok which is designed for those over 50 as an alternative to the high dose,” she said in an email, adding that Flublok is egg free.

Bolduc said those 65 and older who want the highdose should be able to get it, but they might need to be patient and try multiple providers. If they aren’t having luck, he suggested getting whatever is available. Saul echoed those thoughts.

“Just get a regular one,” he said. “It’s late enough in the season that you should just get it going.”

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Laks Pudipeddi, pharmacist at Bridgeport Pharmacy on East Main Street, with a flu vaccine at the shop in Bridgeport on Thursday. Currently, there is a shortage of high-dose flu vaccine for senior citizens, especially at independent pharmacies like this one.