Flu Shots on Short Supply

The Cole County Health Department replenished their flu vaccines Tuesday, after being extremely low on supply the week before. On Friday, vaccines were down to about five doses, said Jessi Kempker, an immunization coordinator for the department who oversees the supplies. Kempker said it was not uncommon to have a low supply this far along the flu season that started as early as October. But the timing is bad, because they are expecting flu season to spike in February, and more people are coming in after being referred from local pharmacies and physicians’ offices who ran out of supplies. ABC 17 News checked with local pharmacies in Cole County and one pharmacy in Jefferson City tells us vaccine shipment they wanted to get was back-ordered since the beginning of January. “We’re just towards the end of flu season when people normally get vaccinated, so most of the vaccine that’s been made are used up at this point, ” said managing pharmacist with Whaley’s East End Pharmacy on E. High Street. The health department recommends people get vaccinated against the flu early in the fall, when they get their supplies in, because it takes about two weeks for your body to build up a defense against the flu after receiving the vaccine. “I think that’s something a lot of people need to know too, that’s why it’s especially important to get your vaccine early on, “said Kemper. But she adds that since the flu season could linger on until May, people can still get flu shots through the Cole County Health Department, situated at 1616 Industrial Drive in Jefferson City, that is opened 7:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Monday-Friday. The Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) said the best single protection against the flu is the vaccine, which it says is 62% effective against the flu this season. Kempker said 62% is a good match on the strain of virus that is going around and making people sick, so it’s important for people to get the vaccine this year.