Flu shots almost gone, new shipment expected next week

Southern Nevada Health District officials expect to run out of injectible doses of H1N1 vaccine by Friday and don’t expect to receive another shipment until late next week.

But the district still has plenty of FluMist vaccines, which are inhaled rather than injected, said Dr. John Middaugh, director of community health for the district.

“Beginning Friday we’ll only be able to provide the mist,” Middaugh said Wednesday.

Some people worry about taking FluMist, Middaugh said, because it is made with a weakened live virus, tamed in the laboratory so it cannot cause illness. The shot contains a dead virus.

“There’s a lot of unnecessary concern about the FluMist,” Middaugh said. “People expect to get a vaccine with a needle, so getting something squirted up your nose is different and new.”

People also worry FluMist will make them sick, or that it will allow them to spread the flu to others.

“None of that is true,” Middaugh said.

The district is trying to ease concerns about FluMist and about there not being enough H1N1 vaccine to go around, particularly in light of news that production of the vaccine is behind schedule.

“There is no question we will be receiving ample shipments of the vaccine and there will eventually be enough to give to everybody who wants it,” Middaugh said.

Contact Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.