Some providers still awaiting flu vaccine

With the peak of the flu season around the corner, most health-care providers recommend getting a flu shot at least by November. But people seeking the vaccine locally may find that difficult advice to follow.

Some local flu-shot providers say they either haven't received the vaccine yet or they've already used it up and are awaiting more.

The Cape Girardeau County Health Department, for example, hasn't received the 6,000-dose shipment it was promised weeks ago.

"This is the latest it's ever been, and there's no rhyme, reason or explanation to it," said Charlotte Craig, health department director. "We were expecting it by the end of October, and I can't give you a supposition as to why it hasn't come yet."

Most people get their flu shots in October or early November, Craig said. However, influenza peaks between December and March, meaning a flu shot in December or later is effective in most influenza seasons.

"It starts moving in about this time, and we see it good and hard in December," she said. "We can give the vaccine up to January and February, but I sure hope it's not that late."

Craig reported that Cape Girardeau has had one confirmed case of influenza.

The problem is compounded by what appears to be a growing demand possibly boosted by the anthrax scare, so it should surprise no one that it has created a very worried public.

"We've had some pretty nasty phone calls," Craig said. "My clerks who answer the phones have really caught some flak, so we understand the public is frustrated and anxious."

Anthrax comes into play because the inhalation form can mimic the flu. Because of that, national public-health officials at first encouraged people to get the shot so the flu could be ruled out if they developed symptoms.

Flu similarities

Since then officials have changed positions because other illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria also common during the fall and winter can mimic the flu.

Craig said she believes fears of anthrax have caused more people to want the flu shot.

"Common sense tells you that," she said. "The media have done something to kind of fan up the fears and the apprehension. People need to be concerned but not overly concerned. This is Cape Girardeau and the Midwest. The threat here isn't as great."

The health department, which provides 10 percent of the flu shots given in the county, is not alone in its lack of flu vaccine. Southeast Missouri State University's health and human services department hasn't received its shipment either. Sally Loos, the manager of health services, said late flu shots is not a new problem and they didn't receive their roughly 600 doses until Thanksgiving last year.

Lots of calls

"We've been getting lots of phone calls," she said, but when she calls about getting the flu vaccine, she is told it will come anytime from later this week to Dec. 1. The health service is on five or six waiting lists.

Immediate Health Care, a walk-in medical office, has administered 450 of the shots, but it is out now, said Robin Graham, the group's occupational medicine coordinator.

"We've really had a hard time getting any in," she said. "They're coming in to see if we have it. That's about all we're getting on phone calls."

Physician Associates got its full shipment in September, said Sue Wibbenmeyer, a registered nurse there. Because of the unavailability elsewhere, they've already given what they normally give all winter.

"I think there's something to that: There's an increase in demand because of what happened in September and because of anthrax," she said.

So far, Physician Associates has administered more than 2,000 shots and has received another shipment, she said, but only patients are given the flu shot and it isn't given to walk-ins.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there are only three licensed U.S. manufacturers for the vaccine instead of four as there were in 1999. The total nationwide distribution of the vaccine for 2001 is estimated at 83.7 million doses.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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