Late scramble for vaccine as flu season heats up

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By LAURAN NEERGAARD

WASHINGTON (AP) - Missed flu-shot day at the office last fall? And all those "get vaccinated" ads? A scramble for shots is under way as late-comers seek protection from a miserable flu strain already spreading through much of the country.

Federal health officials said Friday that there is still some flu vaccine available and it's not too late to benefit from it. But people may have to call around to find a clinic with shots still on the shelf, or wait a few days for a new shipment.

"We're hearing of spot shortages," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Colorado offers an example. Kaiser Permanente, which has 535,000 members in the state, stopped giving flu shots this week. But it expected to resume vaccinations when new shipments arrive, expected this weekend.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130112/DA3OBN000.html

[Purveyor]

1. Just picked up a script from our local Rite-aid and they have been out of the vac for about a

week.

I don't get the shot as vit D3, C and zinc has worked for me for years. (knocking on wood)

[YOHABLO]

2. Why do people wait for it to hit epidemic porportions? I got mine in Sept.

People are just too stupid to stop in the Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc .. whatever and get a shot. Flu can kill you, and is a serious virus. In 1918, 50 million people worldwide died from flu..let's not forget.

[Skittles]

4. I got mine in September also, for one reason

I don't want to get the flu and will take ALL precautions, INCLUDING the shot; yes INDEED. I did skip that one year when there was a severe shortage because I did not want the shot if it meant a child or elderly person would not get theirs.

[NYFlip]

5. I always get a flu shot

I skipped the year of the flu vaccine shortage to allow a child or the elderly to get the flu shot

[GP6971]

3. 2 Costco stores are out in my area

they!re advising you to check daily.

Safeway had it though at almost twice the cost of Costco