WASHINGTON — This year’s long and deadly flu season has created a lot of demand for flu shots much later than usual in the season.
“Many pharmacies and doctor’s offices hadn’t planned necessarily on having this much vaccine [need] this late into the year,” said David Goodfriend, the director of the Loudoun County Health Department. “So you may find some spot shortages of vaccine.”
Despite some shortages in spots, doctors say that overall supplies are still good.
“There’s plenty of vaccine to go around,” Goodfriend said. “It’s just how much each individual place may have stocked in advance.”
In addition to doctor’s offices, many drug stores and grocery store pharmacies also administer flu shots. Doctors have urged procrastinators to get vaccinated.
“If it’s not available in the place you normally go to, just call around to a couple other places in your area,” Goodfriend advised.
Officials recommend checking the “Vaccine finder” website to see which locations near you still have the vaccine available.
Getting vaccinated is just one part of an overall strategy people should deploy to avoid the flu and stay healthy this winter.
Goodfriend also recommends:
- Help immune system with adequate sleep and good nutrition;
- Stay away from ill people giving them at least 3 to 5 feet of space
- Wash hands frequently;
- If you feel sick, especially with fever, contact your doctor.
“There are medications that may be helpful if given early enough in infection,” Goodfriend noted.
