Answering a call before it becomes desperate, several large organizations have handed over their supply of flu vaccines to help cover the high-risk population in Maine.

When about half of the country’s flu vaccine – 48 million doses – was ruled unusable, people were left scrambling for the preventative measure. There are reports that unscrupulous manufacturers and clinics are gouging patients with high prices and cashing in on the shortage.

In Maine, civic duty has trumped – at least as far as we know – profiteering. According to the governor’s office, Fairchild Semiconductor, International Paper, Medical Mutual Insurance Co. and the University of Maine Cutler Health Center have turned their supplies of vaccines over to the state to help meet the critical need for shots among the elderly, the very young and health care workers.

High-risk patients should be the priority for the vaccines. To manage the potential crisis and make due with the limited supply of vaccines requires a community-wide effort. We all have a part to play and these companies are setting a strong example of how we should act.