State health officials starting to run out of flu shots
By The Associated Press
Posted 9:25AM on Tuesday, December 9, 2003
<p>Public health clinics flu shot supplies are running low, although the vaccine still may be available with private providers, state health officials said Tuesday.</p><p>We are starting to run out, said Richard Quartarone, spokesman for the Georgia Division of Public Health. What we have we have. Some districts have a little more than others.</p><p>Last week, the nations main flu shot makers said they had sent all of this years flu shots _ about 80 million doses _ to doctors and clinics. Because of the time it takes to make the vaccine, no more flu shots are likely to be manufactured this season.</p><p>Health districts in Cobb and DeKalb counties have started to reserve remaining supplies for high risk groups, such as the elderly, infants between 6 months and 23 months and those with compromised immune systems.</p><p>Those in high risk groups who havent already received a flu shot should get vaccinated immediately, Quartarone said.</p><p>Most of the states flu cases have been in metro Atlanta, northeast Georgia and in the Statesboro and Waycross area.</p>