Seasonal Flu Vaccine Demand May Exceed Supply

Health officials who persuaded the public to get an H1N1 flu shot, unknowingly boosted the demand for the regular seasonal flu shot, too.

The Tennessee Department of Health says consumers flocked to get their seasonal flu shots when they became available in September and October. Now, there may be a problem finding the seasonal vaccine, at a time when most people traditionally get their seasonal flu shot.

Dr. Kelly Moore runs Tennessee’s Immunization Program.

“I don’t want to concern people that they’re not going be able to find this vaccine because there’s still plenty to come. It’s just gonna be harder to find and they need to be more persistent about looking for it.”

Manufacturers aren’t making any more seasonal flu vaccine, while the H1N1 flu shot is on a rolling production schedule.

So far there’ve been no reports of seasonal flu shortages in middle Tennessee, but there are some in North Carolina.

You can find out the availability of a season flu and H1N1 flu vaccines at Tennessee’s flu shot locator.