Flu shot frenzy arrives as hundreds join line at Publix
Hundreds show up at one store hours before a shot is to be given; hundreds more are turned away that day.
By MARY SPICUZZA
Published October 13, 2004
[Times photos: Keri Wiginton]
Lee Newbury, 80, left, and his wife, Ethel, 73, sit in one of the few spots available while awaiting their flu shots Tuesday at a Publix in Spring Hill, where hundreds showed up. The Newburys arrived at 7:30 a.m. and received a ticket to return at 12:15 p.m. "We would have gone to our doctor, "said Ethel Newbury, "But they weren't able to give them out."
Debra Nickels, a nurse with Maxim Health Systems, gives a flu vaccine to John Voelpel, 83, on Tuesday at Publix in Spring Hill. Voelpel was in line by 7 a.m.; some customers started lining up at 4 a.m., store manager Darin Dampier said. Flu vaccinations will be given at the Publix, 160 Mariner Blvd.
SPRING HILL - The flu shot shortage in the county is creating a frenzy.
With dozens of local doctors offices and hospitals, as well as the county Health Department, warning patients they may not receive the influenza vaccine, hundreds of people say they have one last hope.
Publix.
A crowd of more than 300 had gathered at the Publix on Commercial Way in Spring Hill by 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, about two hours before the store was scheduled to start providing vaccinations. The first 350 to arrive received numbers and an approximate return time, store manager Darin Dampier said.
He added that people started lining up outside at 4 a.m.
The store was scheduled to sell the flu vaccine between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., until it ran out. But employees had given out all 350 numbers by about 8 a.m.
"I've given out numbers every year, but in past years there was no hysteria," said Dampier, who has been managing Publix stores for 13 years. "We've turned away probably 500 or 600 people, and we're still turning them away."
Dampier said he tried to make the wait easier by providing return times, so people could avoid spending hours standing in line. Handing out numbers for those waiting for vaccinations is a companywide policy.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had warned last week that the U.S. supply of flu shots would be cut in half because of the closing of a vaccine manufacturing plant in Liverpool, England. And federal officials said priority should be given to high risk groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic health problems and children.
Publix is adhering to CDC guidelines but has limited supplies of the vaccine. As a result, stores have had to turn away some considered high-risk, spokesman Dwaine Stevens said. The store is selling the vaccine for $20, except for those with Medicare or Medicaid.
Stevens said that flu shot clinics scheduled at Publix locations will be canceled after Saturday, in an attempt to help get the vaccine to those who need it most.
Still, some considered high risk were frustrated yesterday with the store's policies.
Franklin Riley, 71, said that he arrived at Publix at about 7:30 a.m. and was told there were no more numbers available.
"I don't think that's right because it wasn't the schedule that was in their advertising," said Riley, adding that he has upper respiratory problems and is prone to pneumonia.
The store provided him with other shot dates, but Riley said he's skeptical of their posted schedules. He said there should be legislation requiring that doctors and hospitals have priority when it comes to access to vaccinations.
"There's something wrong when big businesses can get flu shots, but doctors are unable to get them," Riley said.
But those waiting to receive their vaccinations yesterday praised the store.
"It's a nice way of doing it, and it avoided a long line of people," Harold Carl, 79, said while sitting in the store's deli cafe. "I heard that at another store somebody who was diabetic collapsed after standing in line for hours."
Sheila Schwartzman, a retired social worker and teacher, agreed that store employees were very organized, friendly and helpful.
"They even brought around free coffee outside," she said.
It's unclear how Publix at Seven Hills employees plan to handle the hordes who may show up to get vaccinations Thursday. That store is scheduled to provide flu shots until they runs out between 3 and 7 p.m.
One employee said the store had received numerous phone calls about flu shots, and the staff was expecting a "huge crowd."
Judging by other health care providers in the area, that may be an understatement. The county Health Department has no flu vaccine available. The Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Brooksville ran out on Thursday after giving more than 400 flu shots. It is unclear when, or if, more vaccine will be delivered.
"We're recommending veterans get the shots wherever they can," medical clerk Norine George said. "So right now we're giving out the listing of Publix stores."
