• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Some Doctors Irked By Absence of Flu Vaccine

Posted on: Friday, 28 October 2005, 12:01 CDT

By Scott Finn, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.

Oct. 28--Some doctors and health clinics in West Virginia are still waiting for promised supplies of the flu vaccine, and they're becoming increasingly frustrated as they see vaccine supplies going to big-box retailers and not them.

Past years have seen flu vaccine shortages because of manufacturing problems. But this year, ample supplies have been produced to cover high-risk populations.

The problem seems to be with the companies that distribute the vaccine, said Evan Jenkins, executive director of the state Medicaid Association.

"There's a high level of frustration out there," Jenkins said of his members. "We still have what appears to be a dysfunctional distribution system."

Some doctors ordered their flu vaccines months ago but are still waiting for delivery. Others have received only a fraction of what they were promised.

Meanwhile, retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kroger are offering flu shots to anyone who pays for them. Doctors need the vaccine to protect high-risk patients, Jenkins said.

The flu season hasn't started yet in West Virginia, but is expected to pick up between November and April.

Some local health departments have used up their allocation of flu vaccine. The state Department of Health and Human Resources is asking health departments with extra vaccine to share their supply, said DHHR spokesman John Law.

"The folks in our immunization program tell me there is not a shortage this year," he said. "There is more vaccine on the way."

Certain health departments, especially those in rural areas, have used up their original allocation because of high demand, he said.

More populous areas have a variety of public and private entities offering flu shots, but local health departments in rural areas are sometimes the only providers of the vaccine.

Certain hospitals and other clinics also are experiencing a delay in receiving expected supplies of the vaccine, but they are expected to receive the vaccine they ordered.

The Wayne County Health Department is waiting for flu vaccine from its supplier, GIV Corp., said administrator Mickey Plymale. The health department has been able to obtain vaccine from other sources, he said.

Kanawha-Charleston Health Department has plenty of vaccine this year, said executive director Dr. Kerry Gateley.

Since Oct. 1, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department has given 6,500 doses of the flu vaccine to people at high risk of complications.

Now they are opening up the vaccinations to all people, not just high-risk groups.

Local clinics are scheduled at their office on 108 Lee St. for children on Nov. 1 and 5 and Dec. 6.

Adult clinics are planned for today at Marmet City Hall from 1 to 2 p.m. and Chesapeake City Hall from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Other upcoming dates include:

--Nov. 5, Sissonville High School, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

--Nov. 8, Charleston Civic Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

--Nov. 19, Maranatha Church Activities Building, St. Albans, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on when vaccinations are given in Kanawha County, call the Flu Hotline at 348-6882 or go to www.kchdwv.com.

-----

To see more of The Charleston Gazette, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wvgazette.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.

Source: The Charleston Gazette

More News in this Category