Seasonal Flu Shots Dwindling

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- It seems like it's getting harder and harder to get any type of flu shot these days. The wait for the H1N1 flu vaccine could take another month for the general public and now the seasonal flu vaccine is running out all over the state.

The vaccine shortage could be affecting people and organizations in and around the metro. One hospital had to postpone their clinics to the public because of the overwhelming demand for the seasonal flu vaccine.

"I was desperate, I had to have it," said Eason. "I always get the flu shot and I been to several places and they were out already."

Joanne Eason didn't waste any time in getting to make sure she's flu-free this season.

"I wouldn't have been driving 80 mph from Norman before they shut down today," Eason said.

She got to the Integris Health Pacer fitness Center clinic and got her shot just in time, but not everyone is getting their share, not yet. The hospital is forced to close the clinic to the public for now since an overwhelming amount of demand over the weekend depleted much of their supply for the seasonal flu vaccine.

"We had 328 flu shots when we typically provide 200 in the past few years, so the demand has definitely increased," Integris Health Pacer Fitness Center Director Nancy Shidler said.

The only shots available are those promised to local businesses like the Waterford Hotel that have scheduled and paid for the vaccine months ago.

"We do this annually for our associates; we ask them to make decisions to take a flu shot as protection for themselves and families and to take care of our associates and they take care of our guests," Patrick Pellegrino with the Waterford Marriott Hotel said.

The shortage of seasonal flu vaccine stemmed from delays and cutbacks from the biggest makers of the supply.

"It's simply because the people who make the vaccines, the company who make the seasonal vaccine stopped making that vaccine so they can produce an overwhelming amounts of vaccine for H1N1," said Shidler. "They're busy making that serum so that's why we're in this situation."

Find out more information about the seasonal and H1N1 flu.