We’ve all seen it in the headlines and on television &045;&045; the flu vaccine shortage is making it nearly impossible for many who genuinely needs the shots to get them.

Those high-risk groups include those 65 and older and those with conditions such as heart disease.

The closing of manufacturer Chiron’s Liverpool factory cut the supply of the vaccine in the United States by half.

But there are other factors that also come into play to create vaccine shortages.

According to a recent article by Knight Ridder Newspapers, high production costs coupled with low revenues have driven many drug companies out of the vaccine business.

At the same time, demand continues to increase.

In 2003, federal advisory committees issued two reports on possible ways to help rectify the problem.

Recommendations included:

4Creating a six-month stockpile of all recommended pediatric vaccines.

4Using federal tax breaks or subsidies to dramatically increase the number of flu shots manufactured each year.

4Easing the rules for importing vaccines made for use in other countries.

4Raising the prices the government pays.

At least one congressional committee has agreed to call hearings on the flu shot shortage.

We urge Congress to take a serious look at all the above recommendations, and any other options uncovered in the hearing, as ways to help make sure this serious public health problem doesn’t crop up in the future.