Prescription Medications

Flu Shots Scarce Even for Most Vulnerable

This wasn't a huge problem last year, when 83.4 million flu doses were produced and 83.1 million dispensed.

This year, however, because Britain just suspended the license of a key U.S. flu vaccine maker, only about 55 million doses will be available, half of what is needed just for the most vulnerable.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging hospitals and other health-care providers to give flu-shot priority to high-risk individuals, including the elderly and small children, the numbers make it clear there just isn't enough to go around -- not for high-risk people, and especially not for healthy people.