Flu vaccine goes quickly

The Randolph County Health Department took appointments for those who have not received the influenza vaccine and quickly exhausted the health department’s new supply.

Clinic Supervisor Kathy Green said she had received 120 more doses of the vaccine last week and by 2 p.m. Monday they were gone. There is now a waiting list for the next supply. Green said supposedly there is no longer any vaccine shortage.

State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson announced the additional vaccines and noted that a limited number of private physicians in Alabama received additional doses late last month.

Vaccinations were given on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone needing them, but only by appointment.

Green still encourages people to get the vaccination, particularly members of high-risk groups, such as the elderly or chronically ill who did not get vaccinations when clinics were held just for them. Those were well attended here, she said.

“The flu season usually doesn’t come until January or February so there is still time to take it and time for it to become effective,” Green said.

These doses are part of the additional 20,000 doses Dr. Donald Williamson recently announced. Williamson said the state received them from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be administered through local health departments.

“We are pleased that we can now vaccinate and help protect more people from influenza,” Williamson said.

More information is available at www.adph.org/immunization.