NIAGARA FALLS —
Annual flu shots are being distributed about a month earlier than usual and as a bonus, the flu and H1N1 vaccine are being combined into one shot.
Pharmacist Steve Giroux, owner of the Summit Park Pharmacy in Wheatfield and Middleport Family Health Center, said early distribution of the flu shot is largely a function of manufacturing.
“It was ready early this year by about a month,” he said. “Last year was slowed down because of the H1N1 vaccine that was issued that slowed down the distribution process.”
Giroux said this is the first year the flu vaccine includes a dose of the H1N1 vaccine.
So far the shot’s getting a good response.
“Last year it seemed like everyone was scrambling for a couple months to get it,” Town of Lockport resident, Tom Roman said. “I like that it’s early this year so it’s not so jam-packed in the stores.”
Or pharmacies — this will be the second full year pharmacists can administer the shots.
“Pharmacists were finally authorized to give the immunization. New York was the 49th state to allow this,” he said. “I think having more than your local doctor’s office or hospital issue the shot is a real benefit for the community.”
With pharmacies, Giroux said you can receive the shot immediately and you do not need an appointment like you do with your physician.
“Pharmacies just improve the immunization rate because of its convenience, now,” he said. “You walk in and it’s readily accessible.”
Representatives from the Niagara County Department of Health were unable to comment this week on issues like flu shot supply, flu epidemics and deaths in Niagara County. Beverly Lawler, county immunization nurse and spokeswoman for the Immunization Program and Flu Clinic was out of town this week, as other members of the Immunization Program and Flu Clinic were in meetings all day Wednesday and Thursday.
“It’s very important just to prevent the flu from manifesting and particularly for those at risk like people who have a preexisting disease like diabetes,” Giroux said. “Most people get the flu and they’re down and out for a few days, but it can also be deadly. Sometime we just don’t take the flu seriously enough.”
Giroux said getting the flu shot can have a long-term affect.
“Our goal is to get everyone to get the flu shot. Like polio, we want to omit it from the country,” Giroux said. “It’s a seemingly far stretch, but if we help make people aware of the positive affects the shot has, I think more people will get it. It’s extremely safe and effective.”
H1N1 STILL A CONCERN?
While the World Health Organization has officially declared the end of the H1N1 pandemic, the virus, along with the traditional seasonal flu, is still active and a level of concern remains. This year, for the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all individuals older than 6 months get a flu shot. Many will recall that the H1N1 virus struck younger individuals than the 50-plus population who typically are at higher risk for the seasonal flu.
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