Flu Shots Fly From Shelves In Rockland

Seems that all of that talk last Sping about H1N1 (the flu formerly known as  “Swine”) got the public’s attention. Clinics in Rockland County say demand for seasonal flu shots is unusually strong and they need to revise their scheduled hours to match scarce supplies. The seasonal shot, though popular, does not protect against the H1N1 flu.

“We had 131 shots and had to turn people away,” says Nyack Hospital’s Linda Suarez. “We told them where they can go tomorrow to get them.”

Officials say the flu shot shortage is temporary and more medicine is on the way. ‘€œAdditional doses of the seasonal flu vaccine are expected in the end of October or early November,” says Rockland Health Commissioner Dr. Joan Facelle.

The Rockland County Department of Health, Healthcare Medical Associates, Northern Services Group, Helen Hayes, Good Samaritan, and Nyack Hospitals have revised their seasonal flu  clinic schedules to adjust to the limited supply of the seasonal flu vaccine.

The Rockland County Health Department has a special page on the H1N1 virus.

Sources: Mid-Hudson News, WCBS-TV, Rockland County Dept Of Health, Journal News 10/13/09