Jonathan Fielding, MD, MPH, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Dr. Jonathan Fielding was formerly the Commissioner of Public Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He's currently the Director of Public Health for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Vice Chairman of the Partnership for Prevention, Professor of Health Services and Pediatrics at UCLA’s Schools of Public Health and Medicine and Co-Director of the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities.

He spoke today with Etopia Media Medical News Network (EMMNN) about the implications for public health in Los Angeles County of the shortage of flu shots brought about by the decision of the U.K.'s Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to revoke the manufacturing license of Chiron, which was being depended upon to provide about half of the necessary doses this flu season.

Dr. Fielding told EMMNN that what's happening now is NOT an emergency and that the situation could best be addressed if those at low-risk for the flu (most healthy adults) stepped aside and allowed those at high-risk (everyone over 65, people with compromised immune systems, and others) to take advantage of the available vaccine.

For a more detailed list of who should and who shouldn't get a flu shot this season, click here.

He also pointed out that a lot of hand-washing, proper respiratory etiquette, and not going into work while actively infected with the virus would all help slow the spread of flu, regardless of the availability, or lack of availability, of flu shots.

To listen to the EMMNN interview with Dr. Fielding, click here.

Click here for more about influenza.