Hoosiers denied flu shots at local health fair

While the rest of Bloomington was still in bed, people began to line-up at 7:30 a.m., Saturday at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Health Fair hoping to receive a flu shot.\nMany of them left disappointed.\nAfter 40 million flu vaccinations from Liverpool, England's Chiron Corp. were ruled contaminated, the distributors around the United States have experienced a drastic shortage in the shot. Health officials must now ration the few available vaccines to only patients who are less than 23 months old or more than 65 years. Those who are vulnerable to the disease or whose occupation puts them in frequent contact with it are also eligible.\n"Don't miss your opportunity to be prepared for this winter's cold and flu season," advertised the Chamber's press release. "Flu shots will be available while supplies last."\nSouthern Indiana Pediatrics came to the Bloomington SportsPlex with 100 flu vaccination shots. Thirty minutes after the fair's 9 a.m. opening, half of them were gone.\n"A lot of people came really early so they didn't miss out on getting the shot," Southern Indiana Pediatric worker Lori Teach said.\nPeople who didn't meet the criteria were turned away, but were understanding of the situation, Promptcare worker Amanda Miller said.\n"No one has been too upset today because they couldn't get a shot," she said. "People see others need it more than them and understand that it's more important for others to get it before them."\nAlthough this season's situation is much worse, vaccine shots were also short last year, when almost 20 patients went to the walk-in clinic at the Bloomington Hospital to be treated for the flu on some days, Miller said.\n"We were slammed with people who needed to be treated for the flu last year in January and February," Southern Indiana Pediatrics worker Susan Mitsos said. \nThe walk-in clinic workers are expecting to continue the pattern.\n"We are going to be even more busy this year than last," Mitsos said. "We are already booked through November with people who need to get the shot."\nA family with three infants all under the age of five met the guidelines for receiving the shot because the three children are very vulnerable to the disease, Mitsos determined.\n"My doctor said it is really important for all of us to get the shot because the kids can get the flu easily, especially my son who's in preschool because it's a germ factory." mother Vicki Streiff said. "Since I am a full-time mother, if I get sick, everyone in the house will."\nAlthough the flu vaccine attracted people to the Health Fair, 39 other booths were set up with everything from "What triggers your asthma" to "How to prevent Alzheimer's." \nThe focus of the fair was to provide health information complimentary of the region's best providers for people of all ages. \nEven though vaccines are in short supply, healthy people can still protect themselves from the flu, Promptcare worker Melanie Shoults said.\n"I don't think it'll be as big of a deal as the media's making it out to be if people follow preventative guidelines," she said. \nThe Center for Disease Control recommends simple tips such as avoiding close contact, hand-washing and getting plenty of sleep.\n-- Contact staff writer Nellie Summerfield at nsummerf@indiana.edu.