2008 Woodie Awards
Late shipment delays vaccine distribution
Michael Jeffries
Issue date: 11/3/05 Section: News
University Health Services ran into a snag last Wednesday as they provied flu vaccines for students, faculty and staff.
Michelle Hendricks, director of University Health Services, said everything ran smoothly until they were forced to turn people away because they had run out of the vaccine.
The clinic was supposed to be open for another thirty minutes but had to close prematurely.
The shortage left many people wondering why the University Health Services ran out and why there was such a large demand for the vaccine.
As it turns out, the demand for the flu vaccine is no larger this year than it was last year. However, a shipment of the vaccine that was scheduled to arrive at Central in time for the clinic was missing.
"We had received the first half of 900 of the vaccines," Hendricks said.
"We had hoped that the second half would arrive in time, but it is running late."
As of Monday, the second half of the shipment still had not arrived, but Hendricks expected it to be in soon.
"We expect the rest of it to be in [this week]," Hendricks said.
The University Health Services is trying to plan a time to host another clinic but said the vaccine should be available as soon as it arrives.
"Right now, we are working with our schedule," Hendricks said. "We'll have walk-in hours here almost everyday when it comes in."
When Central ran out of the vaccine on Oct. 26 they called the Johnson County Community Health Services and asked about getting a shipment from them. However, they appeared to be in the same posistion as Central's Health Services.
"They called to see if they could get some of ours," said Coordinator of Public Health Services for Johnson County Community Health Services Judy Schache.
"We would have liked to help, but we had a clinic the next day, and we weren't sure we would have enough either."
It appears there has been a problem this year in the shipment and distribution of the flu vaccine.
"This year has been particularly challenging," Schache said. "We've had to cancel several clinics because we hadn't received the vaccine on time.
"It's not really an issue of a bigger demand or vaccine shortage as it is a distribution problem. For people who are trying to be proactive in protecting the community, we are frustrated."
Despite the distribution problem, Schache said her department will continue working hard to fulfill the needs of the community.
"We'll be in touch with all the providers in the community, [including Central], to ensure the health of the community," Schache said. "The health of this community is our main goal."
Schache added that is was not too late to receive the vaccine because peak season is usually in November.
In an effort to increase productivity, Central is paying for faculty and staff to receive the flu vaccine. Students can receive the vaccine for $15.
Michelle Hendricks, director of University Health Services, said everything ran smoothly until they were forced to turn people away because they had run out of the vaccine.
The clinic was supposed to be open for another thirty minutes but had to close prematurely.
The shortage left many people wondering why the University Health Services ran out and why there was such a large demand for the vaccine.
As it turns out, the demand for the flu vaccine is no larger this year than it was last year. However, a shipment of the vaccine that was scheduled to arrive at Central in time for the clinic was missing.
"We had received the first half of 900 of the vaccines," Hendricks said.
"We had hoped that the second half would arrive in time, but it is running late."
As of Monday, the second half of the shipment still had not arrived, but Hendricks expected it to be in soon.
"We expect the rest of it to be in [this week]," Hendricks said.
The University Health Services is trying to plan a time to host another clinic but said the vaccine should be available as soon as it arrives.
"Right now, we are working with our schedule," Hendricks said. "We'll have walk-in hours here almost everyday when it comes in."
When Central ran out of the vaccine on Oct. 26 they called the Johnson County Community Health Services and asked about getting a shipment from them. However, they appeared to be in the same posistion as Central's Health Services.
"They called to see if they could get some of ours," said Coordinator of Public Health Services for Johnson County Community Health Services Judy Schache.
"We would have liked to help, but we had a clinic the next day, and we weren't sure we would have enough either."
It appears there has been a problem this year in the shipment and distribution of the flu vaccine.
"This year has been particularly challenging," Schache said. "We've had to cancel several clinics because we hadn't received the vaccine on time.
"It's not really an issue of a bigger demand or vaccine shortage as it is a distribution problem. For people who are trying to be proactive in protecting the community, we are frustrated."
Despite the distribution problem, Schache said her department will continue working hard to fulfill the needs of the community.
"We'll be in touch with all the providers in the community, [including Central], to ensure the health of the community," Schache said. "The health of this community is our main goal."
Schache added that is was not too late to receive the vaccine because peak season is usually in November.
In an effort to increase productivity, Central is paying for faculty and staff to receive the flu vaccine. Students can receive the vaccine for $15.