More flu shots available tomorrow
The high-risk qualifications established to determine who can get a flu shot are being tossed aside for tomorrow’s local flu shot clinic and officials say anyone who wants one can get one.
After one of the nation’s flu vaccine suppliers was unexpectedly closed last year, resulting in an initial shortage, the federal government established guidelines for distributing the available vaccine only to people in high-risk categories.
Last week, state health officials announced plans to expand the high-risk categories to ensure more people get the vaccine for the upcoming clinic, however, those plans changed.
Tomorrow, all are invited to roll up their sleeves.
“They have called and said that we are to offer this to anyone who wants to get a flu shot – anyone age 6 months and up,” Warren County Health Department nurse supervisor Gerane Benkarksi said yesterday after learning of the development.
“They’re wanting to get rid of it. They had one around Macon County and they only had 40-something to show up and they had 400 doses for three counties. We’re doing this for Warren, Cannon and Van Buren counties.”
Approximately 400 doses of flu vaccine are expected to be available on a first-come, first-served basis at Three Star Mall tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
According to the medical director for the state’s immunization program, Dr. Kelly Moore, the state health department was able to reserve some of 2.6 million doses made in late production by vaccine supplier Aventis. The doses were intended to be provided to public health departments and private physicians in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Instead of taking down their production line, like they usually do, they were able to keep their production line open,” Moore said of the vaccine’s availability.
Local health officials have not expected any more vaccine after announcing previous clinics, but more has nevertheless become available. Moore said the availability of vaccine has been unpredictable and state officials have had to react quickly in the face of that unpredictability.
The cost of an adult shot for tomorrow’s clinic is $17, payable by cash or check. For more information, contact the Warren County Health Department at 473-8468.