Run On Flu Shot Vaccine Clears Out Some Local Pharmacies
AUBURN (CBS13) - With the flu at epidemic levels in many states across the country, there's a push for everyone to get a flu vaccine if they haven't already, but not everybody can find one locally.
Many of the most popular pharmacies in our area tell us they're completely out of flu shots.
You've heard doctors suggest it and businesses are doing the same, advising employees to get their flu shots, but that's easier said that done here in Auburn.
Kathleen Duncan gets the flu shot each year because getting sick isn't an option.
"Because I can't afford to miss work," she said. "I have nobody to work for me."
She planned on going to an Auburn Rite Aid for her shot but found out they're out.
"Well, that's not good," she said. "I didn't know that. I just knew that CVS was out."
We called three CVS stores in Auburn and none of them had the vaccine. It's the same story at walgreens.
With word of the flu spreading across the country, pharmacists say people made a run on shots in the past week.
Nurse Marianne Desoto says people are getting pricked before the flu cases picks up.
"I happened to be calling one of the physicians for one of my patients and she told me what a zoo it was," she said.
If you are having problems getting a flu shot, there is an option. The Placer County Health Department does not have a shortage and flu vaccines are available at its health clinics.
While Kathleen says she's a little worried she might have to search for her shot, some say they'd rather take their chances going without.
"I hear mixed results from it. I don't really have confidence in the whole effectiveness of them," Noah Mackenroth said. "I don't think it's worth the effort."
The Rite Aid stores say they hope to have the vaccine by Friday, but that's no guarantee. The same goes for CVS and Walgreen's.
The best advice is to call ahead before coming down.
