Flu shot clinics mobbed; no more are planned Flu shot clinics mobbed; no more are planned (October 20, 2004)

By Andrea Gemmet
Almanac Staff Writer

Judging by enormous lines at flu shot clinics over the weekend, the fear of catching the flu this winter far outstripped the perils of standing for hours in long lines in inclement weather. At Kaiser hospital in Redwood City this past weekend, where a drive-through flu shot clinic was held in the parking structure, anxious vaccine-seekers showed up in droves, coming in cars and on foot, armed with doctors' notes, walkers, folding chairs and babies in strollers.

Last Thursday, at a special meeting, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency and made flu-shot rationing official -- only those most at risk will receive the vaccine, including the elderly, the chronically ill, pregnant women and children ages 6 to 23 months.

As the mobs of people seen at the few flu shot clinics still being held can attest, it's clear there's another type of rationing in effect -- not only do have to be in a high-risk group, but you have to be willing to get up before dawn and wait in line for hours.

The shortage occurred when British officials discovered contaminated vaccine in a Liverpool, England, lab owned by Emeryville-based Chiron Corp., and shutting it down, knocking out about half of the United States' entire vaccine stock.

The result: many flu shot clinics have been canceled; the state attorney general is on the lookout for price gouging; and the American College of Emergency Physicians is calling for a national "crisis summit" to be held.

Kaiser Permanente's Redwood City hospital held flu shot clinics for members October 16 and 18, and may hold more, depending on how long vaccine supplies hold out. (Call 866-573-5811 for daily updates.)

A representative of Maxim, which held flu shot clinics at local pharmacies, grocery stores and Costco warehouse outlets, said the organization has no more vaccine and will not be holding any more clinics this year.

According to the American Lung Association's Web site, www.californialung.org, which has a local flu-clinic locator -- no more clinics are scheduled.

INFORMATION

** Flu shots are restricted to people in the following categories: Adults ages 65 or older; children ages 6-23 months; residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities;
adults and children, ages 2-64 with chronic heart or lung disease, including asthma; pregnant women; children ages 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy.

** For more information on the shortage, call the San Mateo County Health Services Flu Hotline at 573-3927.

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