Having Trouble Finding a Flu Shot?

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

02 Nov 2009 03:32 PM

While I was out running errands on Saturday, I noticed a sign on the door of the local Rite Aid pharmacy: all flu shot clinics are canceled. It went on to suggest other places where people might be able to find a seasonal flu or swine flu vaccine.

It seems like demand for the flu shots is high, and suppliers aren't able to keep up just yet. More than one friend has mentioned hitting the flu shot clinics and being turned away (in some cases, it's happened more than once).

Part of the problem is that swine flu vaccine manufacturers may have overestimated their production. Early reports suggested that nearly forty million doses of the swine flu vaccine would be available by the end of October; in reality, only around twenty-eight million doses have been sent out. Government officials are expecting to see another ten million doses of swine flu vaccine available this week.

While you're waiting for your seasonal flu or swine flu vaccine, here are some things to do:

• Avoid people who are already sick with the flu. Seems like a no-brainer, right?
• Don't go out if you are sick. There are plenty of places online (like WebMD or the CDC's flu.gov site) where you can check your symptoms and see if what you're experiencing sounds like the flu. Or, call the doctor's office. But don't go to work, don't go to parties, don't risk spreading whatever you have.
• Be careful about touching your face. Germs can enter the body easily through the eyes, mouth, and nose... so try to cut back on touching your face, especially if you haven't washed your hands.
• Wash your hands! Yes, germs are everywhere and it's impossible to stay 100% clean. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't bother to wash your hands!
• Sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve. Don't sneeze on your hands -- you can transfer germs to other stuff that way. Use a tissue, handkerchief, or your sleeve instead.
• Take good care of yourself. Eat healthy and get plenty of rest -- if your body and immune system are in good shape, you have a better chance of fighting illness.

Have you tried to get a swine flu or seasonal flu vaccine? How did it go?

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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