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Vaccine supplies low
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MONROE - While plenty of attention has gone to the slow arriving H1N1 flu vaccine, people will also find it difficult to get a seasonal flu shot this year.

The Lafayette County Health Department announced on its Web site that it is out of its supply of seasonal flu vaccine.

A post on the Web site read, "More vaccine is anticipated to arrive in early November."

Health Department Director Debbie Siegenthaler said about 40 percent, or about 450 people who had planned to get the shot won't be able to get a seasonal flu vaccination until the second dose of the vaccine arrives at the health department.

"This year the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) made a push for everyone to get a seasonal flu shot," she said. "Unfortunately we've seen some challenges with the vaccine arriving."

Manufacturers told Siegenthaler it was difficult to get vaccines for both for H1N1 and seasonal flu.

The health department began to give out the vaccine Sept. 21 and quickly went through its supply. About 800 people have received the shot this fall, Siegenthaler said.

People don't need to worry if they have to wait a few weeks to get a seasonal flu shot, Siegenthaler added.

"It certainly wont' be too late," she said. "The optimal time to get a flu shot is in late October or November."

Other area providers aren't even ordering any more doses of seasonal flu vaccine after their supplies ran out.

Green County Health Department Director RoAnn Warden, said her department doesn't have any seasonal flu shots left. However, it was able to provide vaccinations to everyone who signed up for them, she added.

"It was more in demand this year," Warden said.

The were 1,200 doses given out by the Green County health Department, Warden said.

Monroe Clinic has enough vaccine to distribute to people who have already signed up for flu clinics, but doesn't have any extra, said Liz Carroll, director of marketing and community relations. Carroll said the flu clinics have been full.

Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County Administrator Sherry Kudronowicz said the hospital vaccinated its 100 workers and has 50 doses left. The doses will be distributed to patients at the hospital, she added.