Fraud in Houston raises question: Are your flu shots safe?

By Judy Voda

November 2, 2005 | Are the flu shots given in Cache Valley safe?

In late October, 1,000 employees of the Exxon Mobile company of Houston received fake flu shots made of purified water. No fatalities occurred but the Texas officials are urging the shot recipients to get checked for hepatitis and other diseases that might result. The fake shots were the result of fraud by a contractor providing the shots.

The shots received in northern Utah are from a "trusted product," says Dr. Jim Davis, director of the Student Health and Wellness Center of Utah State University.

Flu shots in the Logan area are provided by Sanofi-Aventis, a nationally recognized company and the largest flu shot provider in the United States. This company is the provider for both the Wellness Center and the Bear River Health Department.

"Some companies and institutions try to save a little money by buying their shots from a less reliable provider," says Davis. "This can result in the type of fraud that occurred in Houston."

Judy Baldwin, administrative nurse of the Wellness Center, encourages students to get the flu shots as they are identified as an "at-risk" population because of their lifestyles -- often including too little sleep and poor nutrition. Intramural and university sports team members come in contact with a wide population

The Wellness Center gave about 125 flu shots to students this year. Several clinics are planned in the upcoming months at the residence dormitories and at the Taggart Student Center, says Baldwin. These clinics will greatly raise the number of flu shots given to students. Side effects of the shot are minimal and usually only last one to two days.

The Bear River Health Department held a clinic on campus for faculty and staff Oct. 27 and estimated they gave 970 shots. They will hold several clinics during the flu season. They go to large companies, the Senior Center and other locations to make it easier for area residents to receive their shots. These offsite clinics prevent the clinic from being overwhelmed during peak flu periods.

They also give pneumonia shots. The shots are once in a lifetime shots but there are new recommendations, says Carol Morrell, immunization coordinator for the Bear River Health Department. One shot is recommended before age 65 and one shot after age 65.

Mike Weibel, spokesman for the Health Department, said, "The public can trust the products and services provided by the Bear River Health Department." He states the department will not tolerate fraud of any kind.

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