MADISON, Wis., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Wisconsin has joined Michigan and Minnesota in expanding flu shot eligibility beyond high-risk people, indicating the U.S. vaccine shortage may be easing.
Gov. Jim Doyle Wednesday ordered a relaxation of existing restrictions on who qualifies for a flu shot and urged people in high-risk groups to be vaccinated before the shots are made available Monday to people between the ages of 50 and 64.
Michigan health officials earlier lifted an emergency order limiting vaccine to elderly people, children 6 months to 23 months, people suffering a chronic disease and those with compromised immune systems.
Minnesota permits people age 50 and older to be vaccinated, as well as those who are chronically ill, as well as their caregivers. Health departments in Illinois and Missouri reportedly have a surplus of flu vaccine.
So far the flu season has been mild , with no national epidemic. There have been fewer than a dozen confirmed cases in Wisconsin, which has about 160,000 doses of vaccine available.
