Georgia Receives More Flu Vaccine

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Gerogia has received more flu shots, giving its residents an extra opportunity to get the shot.

“Demand is very low right now, but flu season is far from over,” said Tod Rose, a spokesman for the Georgia Division of Public Health. “It’s not on people’s radar screen.”

But Rose urged people to get the flu shot if they qualify.

Flu season usually peaks in mid-February, which is why shots are advised.

About 72,000 doses were distributed this month to private and public health clinics around Georgia. And more may be on the way from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rose said.

However, some clinics and doctors say they fear they will have to throw out unused vaccine in the spring. Two months ago, thousands of flu-shot seekers were turned away as vaccine was doled out only to the very old, young and sick because of a national vaccine shortage. Broader categories of people now include healthy adults age 50 and up.

Georgia’s problem is seen around the country.

As many as 10 million doses of unused vaccine await customers across the country, a recent Harvard University survey suggests. But every year - shortage or not - matching supply to demand baffles health administrators.

“You never know how the pendulum is going to swing,” said Georgia Goseer, immunization coordinator for the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness. “Sometimes you’ll be fortunate to have enough for demand. Other times, it’s all you can do to get rid of it.”

On average, the flu hits 5 percent to 20 percent of Americans and kills about 36,000, most of them older than 65, the CDC estimates.

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