Flu vaccine shortage cancels clinics [seasonal]

[Commonground]

New Hampshire Union Leader
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MANCHESTER ? A temporary shortage of seasonal flu vaccine has led to a number of flu clinic cancellations locally.


State and federal officials attribute it to early availability of the vaccine, a rush to get the shots and manufacturers switching over to make swine flu vaccine.


The Manchester Health Department and Derry Medical Center have cancelled seasonal flu clinics. Weekend clinics scheduled at the Mall of New Hampshire, the Mall at Rockingham Park and the Pheasant Lane Mall were also cancelled.


"We are out of vaccine," said Manchester Health Director Timothy Soucy. "That's it for us for the rest of the year."


Derry Medical Center postponed flu clinics this week after running through its vaccine stock last on Saturday, Administrator Tom Buchanan said.


Buchanan said that out of the 5,000 doses ordered earlier this year, 3,200 have been delayed until possibly the end of the year. He said the clinics planned through the rest of the month have been tentatively on schedule, pending resupply.


"The volume of phone calls for flu shot questions has just been very, very high," Buchanan said. "I know that it's probably wearing out a lot of providers. We've had more phone calls than we've ever had. ... We're optimistic. As long as we receive our balance of our allotment by the end of November. That's what we're being told. It's an inconvenience for people and creates uncertainty, but we're not in a panic level about it yet."


Pharmacy chains run out
Private pharmacy chains are also feeling the squeeze for the demand of the flu vaccine. A number of CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Wal-Mart and Hannaford stores have run through their supply of the vaccine and are uncertain of when they will receive more.


Stores in and around Manchester have either run out of enough vaccine to supply by appointment or received a high volume of participants at their flu clinics.


The Manchester Wal-Mart, at 300 Keller St., held a flu clinic yesterday. The private contractor running the clinic used its supply of the vaccine and had to cancel the clinic scheduled for today.


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