Flu Shot Shortage in Pittsburg
PITTSBURG, KS -- As flu cases increase, clinics and pharmacies in Pittsburg are starting to run out of the flu vaccine.
At the start of the flu season, thousands went ahead and got a dose of the flu vaccine.
"I do it every year. I have a young daughter at home and i don't want to make her sick."
But some are making the trip to Pittsburg clinics and walking out without the protection they hoped for.
"Right now we are out of flu vaccine. We do expect some on Tuesday," says Crawford County Health Department Director Janis Goedeke.
The Crawford County Health Department is not alone.
The Pittsburg Walgreens and Dillon's have also been turning away people who want the shot.
"In the last two days we have seen a major increase in the number of people trying to get the flu vaccine," says Goedeke.
Health experts say it's a big difference from last year. Around this time, they had a lot of vaccine left.
"This year is going to be much worse and I think people are picking up on that," says Goedeke.
Pittsburg State University health workers are bracing themselves for a flu outbreak when student return to campus Monday.
"We actually did have one student that is flu positive this week and so we know it's here and it's in the community," says PSU nurse practitioner Carrie Farrington.
They gave out 10 flu shots just today and only have 30 doses left.
Health experts say there are ways to protect yourself without the shot.
"Make sure you're getting plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy, continue your exercise to really stay healthy but also good hand washing," says Farrington.
And if you do get the flu..
"Trying to be proactive in isolating yourself when you start to feel sick," says Farrington.
The Southeast Kansas Community Health Clinic still has plenty of flu shots for infants and a few for adults without insurance.
They don't have any more for insured patients, but they're currently hunting for more.
According to the Kansas Department of Health, there's already been more than 400 flu and pneumonia related deaths in the state.
