Oct 8, 2009 8:04 pm US/Eastern
Some NY Clinics Run Out Of Flu Vaccine
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The vaccine for swine flu is dominating the headlines, but the lines are building for the seasonal flu vaccine and some people were even denied a shot on Thursday. (File)
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The vaccine for swine flu is dominating the headlines, but the lines are building for the seasonal flu vaccine and some people were even denied a shot on Thursday.
In New City, people over 60 lined up at a local clinic for this year's round of seasonal flu shots.
"Oh yeah, I get one every year. It's better than getting the flu," said New City resident Dolores Armstrong.
At the clinic and at another in Suffern, shots were being offered for Rockland County residents 60 and older. So many people were demanding the vaccine, though, that the New City location ran out.
"We had 131 shots and had to turn people away. We told them where they can go tomorrow to get them," said Linda Suarez of Nyack Hospital.
A sign was posted outside the community center, so that late-comers wouldn't stand in line needlessly, people like Sid Krivin and his wife, Jean.
"I'm not in a panic or anything. If we can't get them now, we'll get them later," he told CBS 2.
Added Jean: "Well, they just getting it in, so there's going to be other times when we can get it, I hope."
Bernie Medvedev was turned-away two weeks ago.
"We were shut out at Drug World in New City; they ran out," he said.
While the vaccine may be more plentiful in weeks to come, the lesson from this clinic is if you want the shot, arrive early.
Each year, more than 200,000 people nationwide are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from flu-related complications.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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