Shortage limits flu shot clinics

Many pharmacies in Carson City have canceled or temporarily suspended planned flu shot clinics because of a national shortage of the vaccine.

However, vaccination clinics are set for Nov. 12 at Walgreen Drug Store and Nov. 15 at Longs Drug Store.

Carson-Tahoe Hospital and several pharmacies will reschedule vaccination clinics in late November or December once shipments of the vaccine have been confirmed, representatives said Thursday.

Raley's Pharmacy, Albertson's Pharmacy, Scolari's Pharmacy and Sav-On Drugs all conducted vaccination clinics in October before their initial supplies of vaccine were exhausted.

Raley's spokeswoman Caroline White said clinics at all Raley's, including the Nov. 17 and 18 and Dec. 8 and 9 clinics originally planned in Carson City, have been suspended. Future clinics may be scheduled once supplies are determined. She encouraged people to check for announcement flyers in the store pharmacy or to talk to pharmacy staffers while shopping rather than call the pharmacy about the clinics.

Local flu shot clinics as of Thursday included:

- Longs Drug Store, clinic scheduled Nov. 15, priority to be given to people over 65 years old or otherwise at higher risk from influenza.

- Walgreen Drug Store, clinic scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Nov. 12, $12 for flu shots, $25 for pneumonia vaccine.

- Carson-Tahoe Hospital will not have a clinic before late November, but will announce it in the Nevada Appeal. Reservations will not be taken for this clinic.

- Raley's, Albertson's, Scolari's and Sav-On all have had clinics. Scolari's and Sav-On do not expect to have another. Raley's and Albertson's say scheduling of future clinics depends on availability.

- Smith's Pharmacy, Medicap Pharmacy, Rite Aid Pharmacy, the Medicine Shoppe and Wal-Mart are not having flu shot clinics.

- Safeway has not scheduled a clinic in Carson City, but some are planned at Reno Safeway stores.