Ala. suffers seasonal flu shortage

UAB isn’t offering seasonal flu vaccines to faculty, staff and students due to high demand.  You’ll find other shortages at doctor’s offices and drug stores.

As the medical community gears up for the H1N1 vaccine you will find it hard to find the seasonal flu vaccine due to it’s earlier availability and flu fears.

Whether it’s Walgreens, Rite Aide or your doctor, you might be in for a surprise, they’re out of flu shots.

Rite Aide Pharmacy Manager, Jason Flebotte said, “We had someone earlier today come in and ask for a flu shot but we didn’t have one available to give them and we called around to about 12 pharmacies in the area and nobody had any flu shots.“

Walgreens corporate told me they delivered one-point-five million doses to customers last year.  This year, since September first, it has been four million and locally they are out.  Here at this Mountain Brook Rite Aide, their flu shot demand has tripled from the same time last year.  They have just five doses left.

Flebotte said, “We saw such an increase demand this year because of the swine flu scare, everybody wanted to get their immunization earlier than usual, so, that really kind of fed the beast this year so to speak.“

Flebotte is hopeful his store will get more vaccine.

Flebotte said, “Hopefully, we’re going to get some more in in the next week or two, we’re working with our suppliers to make sure that that happens.  so I’m pretty confident that it will.“

Even though you may not be able to find them now, Flebotte still stresses the importance flu shots can make in keeping people healthy.

Flebotte sadi, “For very little cost you can save yourself a lot of heartache and grief for sure.“

Still looking for a seasonal flu shot, Flebotte recommends that you call ahead, make an appointment and guarantee your place in line.

Both Walgreens and Rite Aide have applied to offer the H1N1 vaccine, but both drug stores are waiting for approval from the state.