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Flu vaccine in short supply

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 9:14 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2009

FRANKLIN — Last year, Deardoff Senior Center tossed most of its supply of the seasonal flu vaccine.

But this year, officials are certain they won’t have that problem when they host a flu clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on today, Oct. 28.

“I read (in) an article that last year you couldn’t give them away. And I thought that couldn’t be more accurate,’’ said Mildred Brown, director of the center.

“I thought of canceling (the flu clinic) because I thought everybody was getting them from their doctors or at the pharmacy. But now I hear there’s a shortage, so I want everyone to know we have them.’’

The Deardoff has 300 doses of the vaccine.

But area health departments and many doctor’s offices, pharmacies and other retailers are out of the seasonal flu vaccine and are now telling residents to check back in a couple weeks when they expect to receive an additional supply. Some experts speculate that heightened awareness of the H1N1 flu vaccine has also stimulated interest in getting the seasonal flu vaccine.

The Butler County Health Department used all 300 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine it received in about 15 business days. The Middletown Health Department used all of its 200 doses in just one.

“We’re completely out. Most health departments are,” said Jackie Phillips, director of nursing for the Middletown agency. “Most of the time we waste it. But when it’s in the media, and they’re talking about how sick people are, or that people are dying, people get concerned.’’

Due to budget cuts, the Ohio Department of Health ordered just 45,000 doses this year, a 76 percent drop from the 190,000 doses ordered last year.

Colonial, an organization that provides older adult services throughout Butler County, is among a few agencies that still has the vaccine.

Officials still have about 300 doses of seasonal flu vaccine remaining and are now only providing 30 shots a day at their remaining flu clinics.

“They have picked up tremendously in the last week,’’ said Colonial Spokeswoman Danielle Webb. “(Staff at two locations) did 60 shots in two hours.’’

Deardoff Senior Center seasonal flu clinic

605 S. River St.

Franklin, OH 45005

937-743-8100

Wednesday, Oct. 28

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Colonial’s seasonal flu clinics this week:

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Partners In Prime - Hamilton, 140 Ross Ave. in Hamilton from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Berkeley Square, 100 Berkeley Dr. in Hamilton from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29

Partners In Prime - West Chester, 9090 Cox Rd. in West Chester from 10 a.m. - noon p.m.

Westover 855 Stahlheber Rd. in Hamilton from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, October 30

Fairfield YMCA, 5220 Bibury Rd. in Fairfield from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Berkeley Square, 100 Berkeley Dr. in Hamilton from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday, October 31

Westover, 855 Stahlheber Rd. in Hamilton from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

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This is so obvious, it has to be President elect George W. Bush's fault.

Silverback
2:44 PM, 10/28/2009

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Now there is a shortage of the H1N1 vaccine. This of course is Obama's fault for Nationalizing all the vaccine & placing it in the hands of the Govt to distribute.
The government underpaid the manufacturers and took away the incentive to increase production. Was this done on purpose so more people, especially those on medicare and social security hurry up and die? Either way, obama screwed up big time! If the obamaHealthScare plan goes through, it's going to be even worse!!!!!!!!!!

Me
1:21 PM, 10/28/2009

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