Flu Shots Available Sunday At Local Mall
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2003 8:37 am
DALLAS, Texas (KXAS NBC5) - The flu is on the rise in North Texas and the vaccine is disappearing fast, but there might be a few shots left, NBC 5 reported.
Many agencies with flu vaccines are limiting doses to the most high-risk patients.
Dallas County canceled a flu shot clinic scheduled for Saturday because of limited supplies. Collin County health officials said they ran out of the flu vaccine on Friday, but then received a donation of doses before running out again by noon on Saturday.
However, flu shots will be available Sunday at the Golden Triangle Mall in Denton from 1p.m. to 5 p.m., NBC 5 reported.
Health professionals say young children and the elderly should get flu shots.
Texas was one of the first states to report widespread cases of flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last week identified 24 states, including Texas, where the flu had reached epidemic proportions.
While Texas health officials say the number of cases is starting to diminish, January is typically an active month for the flu. If people received flu shots in September or October, they might find themselves vulnerable, since flu shots are effective for three to four months, Ramilo said.
Hall, the owner of Hall's Pharmacy in Fort Worth, said he'd had the foresight to order more than 20,000 doses of the vaccine this year.
"Last year, there was a shortage, and I felt like there would be a shortage again," he told The Dallas Morning News. "It's a nonreturnable product, so I was taking a risk."
Tarrant County Public Health ran out of the flu vaccine for the Fort Worth area last week, reserving the final doses for certain children, primarily 6 to 23 months old, who are at highest risk of developing flu complications.
Other Texas pharmacies also reported a run on vaccines.
Many agencies with flu vaccines are limiting doses to the most high-risk patients.
Dallas County canceled a flu shot clinic scheduled for Saturday because of limited supplies. Collin County health officials said they ran out of the flu vaccine on Friday, but then received a donation of doses before running out again by noon on Saturday.
However, flu shots will be available Sunday at the Golden Triangle Mall in Denton from 1p.m. to 5 p.m., NBC 5 reported.
Health professionals say young children and the elderly should get flu shots.
Texas was one of the first states to report widespread cases of flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last week identified 24 states, including Texas, where the flu had reached epidemic proportions.
While Texas health officials say the number of cases is starting to diminish, January is typically an active month for the flu. If people received flu shots in September or October, they might find themselves vulnerable, since flu shots are effective for three to four months, Ramilo said.
Hall, the owner of Hall's Pharmacy in Fort Worth, said he'd had the foresight to order more than 20,000 doses of the vaccine this year.
"Last year, there was a shortage, and I felt like there would be a shortage again," he told The Dallas Morning News. "It's a nonreturnable product, so I was taking a risk."
Tarrant County Public Health ran out of the flu vaccine for the Fort Worth area last week, reserving the final doses for certain children, primarily 6 to 23 months old, who are at highest risk of developing flu complications.
Other Texas pharmacies also reported a run on vaccines.