Those still in search for a seasonal flu shot in Athens are going to have a rough time trying to find one.
Ohio University distributed vouchers for the seasonal flu vaccine two weeks ago and within hours they had been given out. Students with vouchers have until the end of October to get the shot.
The vaccines were received through a different company than the one that provides the seasonal flu vaccine to OU.
OU orders its seasonal flu vaccines in March, and normally requests 1,400, said Ryan Lombardi, dean of students. With the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, companies stopped making seasonal-flu vaccines and focused on the swine flu vaccine.
We began calling suppliers to find more seasonal flu vaccines
and all but one refused Lombardi said. All other places are out.
I believe we still have some in reserve said David Hopka, assistant vice president for Safety and Risk Management. But the other vaccines we asked for are backordered
and it is uncertain when we will receive those.
Though the vouchers for the vaccine are gone, high-risk individuals can get the vaccine if they can demonstrate need. Lombardi said OU has 300 to 400 more vaccines for high-risk individuals, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, health care workers and people with certain chronic medical conditions.
We're waiting for a fairly large number of vaccines
Lombardi said. Most suppliers began making H1N1 vaccines and we can't get companies to commit to sending seasonal flu vaccines.
There's a greater demand
Lombardi said. No one anticipated the (Centers for Disease Control) to advocate H1N1 vaccinations the way they did.
High-risk students as well as students with vouchers can get the vaccine for free if they are on the WellBeing Plan or pay $25 if they are not. Students who have insurance on file with the university can file through OU. Students can also file separately.
The Athens City-County Health Department exhausted its supply of seasonal flu vaccines and doesn't plan to have any more clinics. The department encourages those who are eligible to be vaccinated.
As of yesterday, both WalMart and Kroger had run out of vaccines, though neither store knew the exact number of vaccines received originally. Neither is scheduled to receive more.
lf902406@ohiou.edu
1
News
Leah Fightmaster
