YOUNGSTOWN Demand for vaccine diminishes

Officials are uncertain how supplies will be in a few weeks.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Fewer people than at previous clinics showed up to get flu shots at the Youngstown City Health District offices.
Monday morning's scene was in marked contrast to October and November when those in the high-risk categories were flocking to clinics, supermarkets, movie theaters and anywhere else to get flu shots.
Public health officials now say that the demand for the flu shots has diminished in past weeks. The federal government announced in early fall that there would be a shortage of the vaccines because of contaminated supplies ordered from England.
Wayna Hightower, nursing director of the health district, said 90 doses of the adult doses of the influenza vaccine were given out Monday, all by appointment.
One by one, mostly older adults were called into the office from a waiting room to get their shots.
Less demand
Hightower said that many in the high-risk category, the elderly and chronically ill, have already received their flu shots, "Some people wanted to get their vaccine as early as possible."
"It's not too late to get a flu shot. It's early in the flu season, you can get shots into January since the high number of flu cases usually peaks in February," she said.
Peggy Yuhas of Youngstown received her flu shot Monday. She said she gets a flu shot every year, "I have asthma so I get one every year. I don't like to take any chances. I'm very pleased with the results of the flu shot."
There were also 90 doses of juvenile influenza shots available for distribution; however, Hightower said that there has not been a strong demand for the doses.
Missy Novitis, registered nurse at the health district, agreed. She said that she has administered thousands of shots to the high-risk elderly, but the ratio has been lower for children 6 to 35 months, considered in the high-risk category. She noted that since supplies are coming into pediatrician offices, many babies are getting their shots there.
Hightower was uncertain if more flu shots would be made available in the coming weeks.