Even as we near the beginning of flu season, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will distribute 30,000 less doses of flu vaccine this flu season than it did last year. This is the result of flat state funding combined with the rising cost of the vaccines which has risen by 335 percent since the 2000-2001 flu season. ODH didn’t request additional funding in their budget request to Governor Bob Taft despite the fact that the cost of the vaccines typically rises ever year. The decreased distribution means that federally qualified health centers will be getting no flu vaccines for their patients and that local health departments will receive approximately 22,000 less vaccines then they requested. State Representative Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) is promoting legislation that would increase funding for flu vaccines. Read more at www.CommunitySolutions.com.