Anyone want a flu shot? Supply grows, but demand withers

Frances Welch, 95, rolls up her sleeve in preparation for a flu shot from registered nurse Randy Kortness at a flu shot clinic hosted by a grocery store in Seattle, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004. In October and November people stood in line nationwide for hours to get one of the precious few flu shots. But now that more flu vaccine has become available — with millions of doses expected from British and German suppliers — demand is dwindling. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Associated Press Writer

SEATTLE — Rod Watson had to cancel 1,000 flu-shot clinics in four states when the national vaccine shortage cut off his supply two months ago.

Now Watson has flu shots aplenty — and he can’t give them away.

‘‘My biggest fear is I’m gong to end up with a lot of serum, and there’s a national shortage,’’ said Watson, president of Prevention MD, a medical screening and immunization company. He offers $20 flu shots Monday through Friday at his Seattle-area office.

Public health officials in California, Colorado and other states have voiced similar fears. Some are relaxing the rules to offer shots to more people.

In October and November people stood in line for hours to get one of the precious few flu shots. But now that more vaccine is available — with a few million more doses expected from British and German suppliers — demand is dwindling.

‘‘It’s one of those things like Beanie Babies or something,’’ said Doug McBride, spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services. ‘‘If you can’t get something, you’ve got more people wanting them.’’

Supply exceeds demand in some areas, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges. In other areas, people are still desperate for the vaccine. The best way to find a flu shot is to call your local health department, the CDC advises.

The CDC says 98 million people need the vaccine this winter. About 65 million doses will be available in the United States.