Posted at: 10/26/2009 2:08 PM
By: Benita Zahn

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Flu Shots: Where are they?

  I've gotten a host of emails from viewers the past few days wanting to know where they can get either the seasonal or h1n1 flu shot or both.

   If only I could tell you.

   NYS Dept of health now acknowledges that there won't be enough seasonal vaccine to go around. Some of the problem is the big players double ordered - when that clears there will be more .. but the manufacturers didn't make enough. They probably thought they did, but that was before all the health officials pounded it into us to get the shots. And guess what, we are. But the vaccine makers switched production to H1N1 and won't be making any more seasonal this year.

So what about the H1N1? It's just not rolling off the production lines as fast as the feds had hoped - or promised - or whatever. And no one can tell us precisely when it will. Call me a doubting Thomas but I suspect it will be here in full supply but too late - and in fact, New York's Health Commissioner, Dr. Richard Daines talked about that very thing last week at a panel discussion. As he put it, they're trying to stay ahead of the virus. Seems they're already behind the curve given the outbreaks we're seeing at schools.

 What can you do? I asked that of the Department of health and got the party line- stay away from sick people, wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face etc .. 

   Btw .. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are urging the CDC to improve communication with state and locals regarding the vaccines. Bottom line, we're all waiting together ..As I learn of public vaccine clinics, I'll let you know. In the meantime, please don't take it personally if I don't want to shake your hand.