People in Pinellas and Hillsborough are urged to call ahead to find out about availability.
By Times Staff Writer
Published December 17, 2003
A limited supply of flu shots will be offered today by health officials in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
After running out of flu vaccine last week, Pinellas health officials got 1,150 more doses - 150 from the state health department and 1,000 purchased from a private pharmacy. The shots are $20 for adults and free to children ages 6 months to 4 years old. They are being given on a first-come, first-served basis. Health officials say people should call to see what hours the shots will be given, and whether they are still available, at the following offices:
- St. Petersburg, (727) 824-6900
- Clearwater, (727) 469-5800
- Pinellas Park, (727) 547-7780
- Largo, (727) 588-4040
- Tarpon Springs, (727) 942-5457
In Hillsborough County, health officials will distribute their limited supply this morning to the first 150 "high-risk individuals" who show up at the E Adamo Drive clinic.
"This is it," said nurse Maria Diaz. "We're not going to have more after this."
Individuals considered "high risk" by the Health Department include people 65 and older, pregnant women in their second and third trimesters, and anyone with a chronic disease.
Children are considered high risk, Diaz said, if they have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, such as asthma. Flu shots administered today will be free.
Children ages 3 and older will be allowed to receive the vaccine but only with a doctor's note recommending the immunization, Diaz said. For adults, no doctor's note is needed.
"We ask people to respect the fact that we reserve those 150 doses to high-risk persons to get the flu vaccine, not the healthy," Diaz said. Diaz said adults will be asked whether they have any chronic diseases and expected to be "on the honor system."
Flu vaccinations will be distributed starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Health Department's immunization clinic at 4951 E Adamo Drive, Suite 210. Call the clinic at (813) 307-8077 for more information.
- Staff writers Lisa Greene and Kevin Graham contributed to this report.
