The lack of seasonal flu vaccine has forced Jefferson County’s largest school district to cancel seasonal flu clinics. The Jefferson County School District was scheduled to have five flu clinics. Four of them have been canceled. The Department of Public Health blames high demand.
While swine flu vaccine is making its way to Alabama, the state department of public health is out of seasonal flu vaccine.
Jefferson County School officials are hopeful flu clinics will be rescheduled. An official with the department of public health isn’t so sure.
Seasonal flu vaccine clinics are on hold for these central office employees with the Jefferson County School District. The vaccines were set up through the health department and would have been paid for by insurance.
Jefferson Co Schools, Ken Storie said, “Right now, we’ve canceled all of them, waiting on the health department when and if vaccines become available.“
The district received word yesterday the state didn’t have any seasonal vaccine to send to the local health department for the flu clinics.
Storie said, “I think that’s what led to this, people are real flu conscious, and are really taking words to heart, they need to get their flu shot
and as a result they’ve created a shortage.“
The district did hold one flu clinic for employees. More than 400 were vaccinated but the other four clinics have been canceled. Storie is hopeful they will be rescheduled.
Storie said, “We have such a wonderful relationship with the health department that I feel pretty confident that if more vaccine’s available, hopefully, we’ll be able to reschedule.“
Unfortunately the state health department isn’t so sure. An official there isn’t sure if manufacturers will honor current orders and is no longer taking new ones.
Remember the height of seasonal flu for us is usually January thru March. If more vaccine arrives, there’s still time to get protected. H1N1 or swine flu vaccine should be available early November.
Other flu clinics across the state have also been canceled due to a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine.
