Seasonal flu vaccine shortage forces Barnes to cancel three dates
Barnes-Jewish Hospital must cancel three dates for free seasonal flu shots. Demand has been so high that the hospital is running out faster than expected.
The canceled dates and sites are:
- Saturday, Oct. 10, Emerson Family YMCA, 3390 Pershall Road.
- Wednesday, Oct. 14, Edward Jones Family YMCA, 12521 Marine Avenue, Maryland Heights.
- Saturday, October 24, Monsanto YMCA, 555 Page Boulevard.
The hospital received 35,000 doses. Then, from Monday through Wednesday, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital gave 19,656 adult shots and 484 doses to children under 36 months.
The totals are 30 percent higher than what the hospital distributed in the previous four years that it has been giving free flu shots to the public.
“A national seasonal flu vaccine shortage has led more people here than we’ve seen in the past,” says Jim Gray, Barnes-Jewish pharmacy director, in a press release. “The seasonal flu vaccine supply is down 30 to 50 percent from previous years and there just aren’t as many places to get a shot this year.”
In addition, the fear of H1N1 flu has raised awareness of flu shots and unemployment has increased the number of people needing free services.
The hospital isn’t expecting more vaccine for now. Jason Merrill, a spokesman for the hospital, said shortages and the increase in demand have taken a toll around the community. “Some places are getting 50 to 75 percent of their (requested amount),” Merrill said. “We have offices that call and say they usually get shots in their offices and they’ll send 80 employees over.”
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I've written exclusively about health since the inception of the Health & Fitness section. I'm an off-road biker, altitude hiker and was into adventure sports until a fall down a Colorado mountain turned my lower back into abstract art. But I'm coming back. 
Understandable that there is a shortage of the vaccine,seeing as how the local & national media has some people in a frenzy, scaring people to death.
This is totally misleading. They are running out of FREE flu shots. Are they running out of flu shots for people who can pay for them?
fmrctygrl, where there’s money, there will always be a supply. Nobody really cares about the poor, they only care about that green, and where there’s a bill, there’s a way.
Actually, St. Louis’ big community health clinics, People’s Health and Family Care Health, have flu shots for their patients on a sliding scale that includes free if your income says that. If you know someone who can’t get to Barnes-Jewish, send them there.
Meanwhile, Barnes-Jewish still has several free shot dates. In fact, they’re shooting in the south lobby until 6 p.m. today (Friday) and are scheduled for Sunday — walk ins. But they’re getting slammed like never before. Lines are stretching 100 deep.
Maybe we need a program where everyone who’s still working buys one flu shot for one person who can’t afford it?
I was just in the BJH lobby and the lines are moving quickly, even though they are long.
frmrctygrl - If by “they” you mean BJH, then no, we’re not running out of shots for people who can pay. We never had any set aside for people who can pay, the point is that here, they’re all free.
Not all the people receiving the free shots are poor. Some are there mearly because the shots are free even though they can afford to pay the $20 or $25 fee being charged by their Doctors and some pharmacies.
Actually, doctors are out of “paid” flu shots too. I have called five doctors offices or urgent care facilities so far with no luck.
I work at BJH and stood in line yesterday to get my flu shot. The line was long, but went fast. I’d say 15 minutes at the most. They’ve got lots and lots of tables set up so they can get folks through there efficiently. If you want a shot, get down there asap.
My husband and I waited 35 minutes in line on Monday. The lines were really long but moved at a good pace. Last year when we went for the flu shot there were maybe 6 people ahead of us..just time to fill out the form..couldn’t believe the line this year.
Here’s What’s on the Barnew-Jewish website:
Through Friday, October 9
7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Adult vaccinations only (18+ years old)
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, south lobby
One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking is available at the South Garage for $1.50/hr.
Through Friday, October 9
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Center for Advanced Medicine - 3rd floor
4921 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking is available at the North Garage for $1.50/hr.
Sunday, October 11
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Creve Coeur Safety Fair
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Siteman Cancer Center, Medical Office Building 2
10 Barnes West Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Safety Fair Parking is Free of Charge