Tools

Spike in Flu Cases Leads to Vaccine Shortage

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Jan 11, 2013 at 10:44 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 11, 2013 at 10:44 PM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo. - Mesa County health officials say this year's flu season spike is coming two weeks earlier than last year's.

Debbie Riggle, vice president of ancillary services at Community Hospital, told NewsChannel 5 that it's been about five years since the Grand Valley has seen such a heavy flu season.

Mesa County Health and Human Services can't say exactly what is causing spike because every strand of the virus is different each year.

As of Friday, there had been 15 hospitalizations from influenza and that number is very likely to rise.

"The cases that have been seen through a physician or a medical provider are twice as many now, as they were all of last year['s flu season]," said Jeff Kuhr, executive director of the Mesa County Health Department.

"We vaccinated about 2,200 people through the normal vaccination period, which is Oct., Nov., Dec., so there's not much [of the vaccine] left," added Riggle.

The Mesa County Health Department has cautioned health care providers to brace for the influx of not only sick patients, but those seeking the vaccine.

Many pharmacies around the Grand Valley have run out. A local Walgreens reported being without the vaccine for the last two weeks. They provided shots to around 80 people Thursday after receiving another shipment and had just four left.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

--- said on Saturday, Jan 12 at 9:34 PM

Rite Aids are still giving flu shots and can bill most insurances!

Disgusted said on Sunday, Jan 13 at 1:38 AM

Not even for free. I'll pass on the mercury-laden filth injection, thanks much.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KREX - News, Weather, Sports for Grand Junction | Montrose | Glenwood Springs - Coverage You Can Count On and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
News Channel 5 Weather