MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Local News

Discussion

October 8, 2009

Swine flu fears spur demand for seasonal flu vaccine

By Keith Purtell

Public concern about the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, has spurred demand for the seasonal influenza vaccine, authorities say.

Muskogee County Health Department Administrative Director Linda Hattaway said that has led to shortages.

“There will be plenty of vaccine, but we just don’t have it right now,” she said. “We’ve only gotten about 75 percent of our supply for adults and 50 percent of the children’s vaccine.”

Hattaway said the Oklahoma State Department of Health has told the health department that they should be getting the rest of their vaccines in November.

“We’re hoping to see people who are over 50 or have chronic health problems like heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes,” she said. “Those are the ones we want to see first. If you’re a healthy adult and can wait until the next delivery, that would be great.”

Hattaway said the influenza vaccines are free this year, but that won’t last.

“We’re just asking for donations,” she said. “The way costs keep rising, next year we will have to ask for a fee.”

The shortage of vaccines has affected a wide variety of health care organizations, Hattaway said.

“We’ve had hospitals and doctors call us and ask if we had extra vaccines,” she said. “You can’t even buy the flu vaccine right now.”

Earlier in the week, Hattaway said the health department is just now dispensing the first doses of H1N1 vaccine.

Students in Haskell Public Schools are due to get the first doses of the H1N1 influenza vaccine, but other doses for could be available in coming weeks, she said.

Hattaway said the health department received 600 doses of the H1N1 influenza vaccine. She said the first doses were scheduled to be administered Thursday to Haskell students because the district has the highest absentee rate in Muskogee and Sequoyah County.

Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email

Text Only
Local News