WP: Clinics Delay Flu Shots as Deliveries Lag ("deja vu")

[DeepModem Mom]

Clinics Delay Flu Shots as Deliveries Lag
Federal Health Officials Offer Reassurances, but Some Patients See Echo of Last Winter's Shortages

By Susan Levine and Carol Morello
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, November 3, 2005; Page B01


A growing number of flu shot clinics across the Washington region are being delayed, if not outright terminated, because of lagging vaccine deliveries to doctors, hospitals and corporate providers.

Despite continuing assurances from federal officials that enough doses will be available before the annual flu season hits in force, the sudden turnaround here and in other states is a vexing deja vu for many people. They say it is far too reminiscent of the shortages and confusion that caused such fears last winter.

"I'm so frustrated. I have people coming in saying they can't get a shot at their regular doctor, their oncologist," said Betty Timer, director of the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center in Silver Spring, who faced 200 "very angry" patrons last month when she had to post a "flu shots postponed" sign at the last minute.

"Our government told us we would have no problem this year," Timer complained yesterday. "We're not being told the truth. There's a problem."

Just this week Inova Health System, worried that it probably will be 25,000 vaccine doses short of its target for the season, again restricted its hospital-based program to high-risk groups and canceled its remaining clinics at libraries, churches and workplaces....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110202834.html

[Javaman]

1. I'm so surprised, soooo surprised....

:sarcasm:

[indepat]

2. We're not being told the truth about anything

[Orrin_73]

3. Hmmmm, price gouging again!!!!

[July]

4. My mother's having trouble getting one in Buffalo.

Her doctor said that she's only giving them to HIV-positive and diabetic patients, and she doesn't even have enough for them.

[0007]

5. Boy 0' Boy, the U.S. has all the ear marks of a third world country.

junior need a military uniform with thousands of medals & ribbons like the presidents in the Banana Republics.

.....and yet he and his bandits want 9 billion for the bird flu.

[Danmel]

6. Shots at Work were postponed twice

The company where my husband works gives free flu shots to employees (they used to give free shots to spouses, now they charge us $25.) The shots have been scheduled twice now and canceled twice with no explanation. Last year they didn't give them at all. Pretty pathetic really.

[PunkPop]

7. Ours were postponed once

and then canceled altogether. And we're a federal government organization.

[feminazi]

9. ours were postponed too

they couldn't get the vaccine and there's been no mention of when they might reschedule.

[kestrel91316]

8. Hmmmm - I just walked into my neighborhood independent pharmacy

3 weeks ago, paid $25, and got a flu shot. No line, no wait, no big deal. They were available to anyone who wanted one.

Yes, it IS starting to sound like a third world country. Those of us with money get the shot, others don't?? This is not right. There probably is plenty, but the manufacturers are fabricating a shortage to jack up prices maybe???

[catabryna]

10. My son was able to get his

at his pediatrician's office and I was able to get mine at the same time for $20.00. I'm glad that we went when we did because I feel like I'm listening to a broken record.

[Mithras61]

11. "Enough doses will be available..."

"before flu season hits in force"

Well ain't that SPECIAL?!?!? How about if we get 'em about two weeks before "flu season" which according to the CDC can start anywhere from October to May... does anyone have a clue when it is "scheduled for" this year? I'd like to know, so I can reinforce hand washing to my kids just before it starts!:sarcasm:

[halobeam]

12. Both of my kids (under 15) are asthmatic...can't get the shot....

the pediatrician AND the allergists are out of them...don't know if/when they will be able to get them....

nice.

[yellowcanine]

13. Shit if we can't get the routine annual flu vaccine distribution right,

how in the heck are we going to distribute vaccine and antivirals in the event of a 1918-style pandemic? It is going to be every person for themselves, complete with hijackings of vaccine/antiviral shipments, black markets, and the like.

[DeepModem Mom]

14. Given the record of this crowd, I think we could bet on it. nt