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The supply of flu shots appears be adequate heading into the season of wheezing and sneezing, and local health professionals do not believe a repeat of last year's shortage is likely.
But it's still early in the flu season, and it's also unknown how bad the bug may hit and what the demand for shots will be. It's advised people get flu shots in October or November so they can build up immunity to the virus.
The first case of the flu confirmed by the Nevada Division of Health in 2004 was in mid-October, and no case has yet been confirmed this year, according to Martha Framsted, public information officer for the Nevada Division of Health.
The Centers for Disease Control has put out an advisory that recommends people most at risk for influenza to be first in line for available flu shots until Oct. 23. After that, the general public can get flu shots.
Those in the high priority category include people age 65 and older, those who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and those who could transmit the flu to others at risk, adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma, children age 6 to 23 months and women who will be pregnant during the flu season.
Banner Churchill Community Hospital is waiting for another shipment of flu shots from vendors, which should arrive in mid-October or shortly thereafter, Robert Long, interim pharmacy director, said.
The first doses were used on hospital staff members, and some physicians in the hospital's clinics have received flu shots for their patients, he said.
Last year, the hospital used about 4,000 doses of vaccine. This year, 12,000 doses were ordered, but Long said the hospital may not need that many.
"We ordered a lot of vaccine this year (so) in case there was a shortage we'd have some in reserve."
Long said hospital staff planned to talk today about the possibility of offering a flu shot clinic at BCCH for the public, but no details have been worked out yet.
People who want a flu shot right now should ask their family doctor about the availability of the vaccine, he said.
Dennis Gailey, a pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe, said he has flu vaccine in stock and is offering shots by appointment only. They cost $22 and Medicare will pick up the bill.
"The supply, as far as I know, is adequate," he said.
The community health nurse in Fallon doesn't have flu shots yet, but Framsted said the clinic should get vaccines in later this month. The VA should have shots available in the last week of October. Raley's supermarket in Fallon is holding a flu shot clinic Oct. 27-29.
Store officials did not know the exact hours.
But it's still early in the flu season, and it's also unknown how bad the bug may hit and what the demand for shots will be. It's advised people get flu shots in October or November so they can build up immunity to the virus.
The first case of the flu confirmed by the Nevada Division of Health in 2004 was in mid-October, and no case has yet been confirmed this year, according to Martha Framsted, public information officer for the Nevada Division of Health.
The Centers for Disease Control has put out an advisory that recommends people most at risk for influenza to be first in line for available flu shots until Oct. 23. After that, the general public can get flu shots.
Those in the high priority category include people age 65 and older, those who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and those who could transmit the flu to others at risk, adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma, children age 6 to 23 months and women who will be pregnant during the flu season.
Banner Churchill Community Hospital is waiting for another shipment of flu shots from vendors, which should arrive in mid-October or shortly thereafter, Robert Long, interim pharmacy director, said.
The first doses were used on hospital staff members, and some physicians in the hospital's clinics have received flu shots for their patients, he said.
Last year, the hospital used about 4,000 doses of vaccine. This year, 12,000 doses were ordered, but Long said the hospital may not need that many.
"We ordered a lot of vaccine this year (so) in case there was a shortage we'd have some in reserve."
Long said hospital staff planned to talk today about the possibility of offering a flu shot clinic at BCCH for the public, but no details have been worked out yet.
People who want a flu shot right now should ask their family doctor about the availability of the vaccine, he said.
Dennis Gailey, a pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe, said he has flu vaccine in stock and is offering shots by appointment only. They cost $22 and Medicare will pick up the bill.
"The supply, as far as I know, is adequate," he said.
The community health nurse in Fallon doesn't have flu shots yet, but Framsted said the clinic should get vaccines in later this month. The VA should have shots available in the last week of October. Raley's supermarket in Fallon is holding a flu shot clinic Oct. 27-29.
Store officials did not know the exact hours.
