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Flu Shots Demand Rising in Grand Junction

by KREX News Room
by Jordan Sherman

Story Created: Oct 30, 2012 at 7:22 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 30, 2012 at 7:23 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- Local medical centers are seeing a large uptick in the amount of people getting vaccinated for the flu virus.

The Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center is reporting they have almost run out of flu shots due to the sheer number of veterans being vaccinated this fall. In fact they are seeing almost as many veterans being vaccinated as they saw during the H1N1 outbreak.

VA officials say they predict that by Friday, they will have administered nearly 5,400 shots. This is only 600 less than they gave out from October through May of last year.

Community Hospital official also report they are seeing an increase in the amount of people getting the flu vaccine and have already given more shots this year than last.

Debbie Riggle says health workers, employers and college students are among the people getting their shot.

"I think a lot of people saw how many flu cases we had last year and they just want to be protected," said Barbara Kent, a licensed nurse at the VA Medical Center.

Officials from Community Hospital and the VA Medical Center, they will not run out of shots and have more on the way this November.

Health officials are urging those who have not yet gotten their flu shot this fall to get it now in order to be protected for the winter, because the vaccine will take 2-3 weeks for complete protection.

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Gord5467 said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 8:54 AM

I was with the Canadian Forces in 2009, was ordered to get the H1N1 shot (AREPANRIX by GSK GlaxoSmithKline) and had an adverse reaction to the vaccine. I received PERMANENT neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory symptoms: dizziness, vertigo, irregular heart rhythms, shortness of breath, muscle weakness and pain, and numbness in hands and feet. My physical fitness changed from special forces fit to that of a 70 year old in a matter of days. The Department of National Defence (DND) claimed the vaccination was voluntary but advised "It could cause a virtual shut down of military operations", " Just because you've never caught the flu in the past is not a valid reason to not get the H1N1 shot this year", "Be proactive. We all have a role to play in minimizing our risk and being prepared", "Personnel ... must provide proof of the vaccination ... otherwise, they will be required to attend the clinic (flu)" and "Without your past record (of immunization), you will ha

Disgusted said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 6:48 AM

Today it's flu shots, tomorrow its microchips. Ya gotta love the Heathcare/Marxism complex and it's tyranny.

guest said on Tuesday, Oct 30 at 8:45 PM

part of this is the new CDC & State mandate that all health care workers be vaccinated

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