Dad's dr. having trouble getting flu shot

[luvwinnie]

Anyone else encountering this? He had a small amount and ran out and has been waiting weeks for a new shipment.

 

[luvwinnie]

Just found this:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms a shortage of flu vaccine in some locations in the country. The agency's director, Julie Gerberding, said the government is taking steps to redistribute vaccine supplies from places where surpluses exist

 

[golfgal]

I think they aren't saying that there is a shortage of the vaccine for fear of causing the "panic" we saw last year. I know in our area the shot was only available to high risk patients and their families. All of the flu shot clinics that were scheduled in our area were cancelled.

 

[MinnieM3]

I got mine this year, but could not last year even though I was high risk! Glad this year is better

 

[kadaten]

Many of the local flu shot clinics here have been cancelled due to lack of vaccine, and many dr's offices are having trouble getting any in, too.

I know my kids both got it (and they're not high risk) because we went in early October for a regular check-up for DD who needed vaccines, and the DR said "let's get both of them a flu shot while you're here....that way you won't have to come back". Didn't even occur to me there might be a shortage again this year and honestly, I hadn't thought about them 'cause I assumed it was too early in the season still. I don't *normally* get them or me shots (DH has to b/c of his job) so it was just a fluke that they got them this year.

But since they're both attending a larger school this year, I'm pretty happy they got them. There seem to be lots of sick kids at school right now so I'm hoping this keeps the worst of it away from us!

 

[Christine]

Last week at my doctor's office, they did not have any. But they were directing people to go to the local health department (where anyone can get one) and to one of the urgent care facilities that was close by. Apparently both of those places had them. The urgent care was charging $35 per shot rather than the $20 the regular doctor's office was charging.

 

[skiwee1]

Do you have any Targets in your area? They had more then they needed. I got mine there.

 

[luvwinnie]

Do you have any Targets in your area? They had more then they needed. I got mine there.

Yes, I will look into that! Thanks.

 

[poohbear1029]

I cant find one in my area either. Its so frustrating cause I am high risk, but relatives in other states who arent have been able to get them from clinics at work.

Its so frustrating that we have to go through this every year it seems.

 

[grlpwrd]

I went to our health dept. and they were out of adult flu vaccines. I was told there were shots available to kids without insurance or with Medicaid.

 

[mrsmom]

I couldn't get mine at the doctors office , my kids got them but They ran out. So i was at sams club Saturday and they had them and i got mine there. Good luck.
Kim

 

[cepmom]

no problem here...all three girls got them ~ the younger two when DD8 went in for a yearly exam in October and my oldest DD today when I took her in for a sick visit.

Actually, we didn't have any problems getting them last year either....we were in the office in September and the pediatrician recommended it to us (DD8 has asthma). We got them about 1 week before they announced the shortage.

 

[bimshire]

You can also try Kroger Pharmacy if there is one in your area.

 

[luvwinnie]

UPDATE: Dr's office never got them in and there are no clinics that I can find. ARRRGH.

 

[poohbear1029]

Does your father qualify for VA Benefits? Some of the VA hospitals have had them....or try the local health department.

 

[Deb in IA]

Many private offices are not getting them, because of their relatively low numbers of patients.

It seems that places that have more "customers" . . . like grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. are the best places to find flu vaccines.

 

[DVC-Don]

Our doctor said he only ordered enough for his patients over 65 this year. The local county, grocery stores and drug stores have all cancelled their clincs so far.

 

[luvwinnie]

Many private offices are not getting them, because of their relatively low numbers of patients.

It seems that places that have more "customers" . . . like grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. are the best places to find flu vaccines.

They were all cancelled around here or they passed already.

 

[CharlesTD]

I guess the US will be hitting up Canada for some flu shots like last year since we always seem to have a surplus every year.

 

[dbarker]

We couldn't get them at dr office, so I called the Health Dept. They had plenty. Also, our local grocery stores w/ pharmacies are carrying them.