OFFICIALS EXPECT NO SHORTAGE OF SHOTS

Despite last year's severe shortage, local health officials say they expect a full supply of influenza vaccine this fall. But they do say that it likely won't come as early as usual.

"Our information is that there will be plenty of vaccine, but it's not going to be early like it has been in the past," said Vicky McDonnell, the communicable disease coordinator at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. The center doesn't expect the shipment until late October, later than they got the vaccine before last year's shortage.

"That's just what the manufacturer told us, that's just when they said it would be in," she said. Bedsoe Medical Supply, out of Memphis, supplies the vaccine to the center.

The delay should not cause an increase in the cases of influenza, McDonnell said.

"The flu season usually doesn't start until around December," she said. "If we can get the vaccine in late October or early November, we'll be fine. Even last year, with the shortage, we did not have serious problem with flu disease itself."

The flu-shot shortage was caused last year when one of three manufacturers that supplied the vaccine dropped it from their production line. That left two companies to pick up the slack. This year, McDonnell said, they're prepared.

The center had asked $5 donation for those who do not have Medicaid and Medicare. That may have to go up this year, McDonnell said.

They have not set dates for when people can come and get their shot. They will announce it to the media when they know, she said.

Local allergist Dr. Robert Sacha said those who are high risk, such as people with diabetes and heart disease, should be vaccinated first.

"There will be less vaccine at first, so in that sense, there will be a shortage," Sacha said. "It just won't be as profound as last year."

About 6,000 patients get flu shots at the center each year.