People wait in line outside a Bashas' grocery store for the Mollen Immunization Clinics to open where the first swine flu vaccine doses are available Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in Phoenix. (Photo: Associated Press)
PHOENIX (AP) – Arizona has been shipped less than half the swine flu vaccine it expected so far.
Physicians, families and public-health managers are becoming increasingly frustrated by their inability to get the shots to the people who need them most.
The Arizona Department of Health Services said in September it expected 800,000 to 1 million doses of the vaccine to be sent to the state by Oct. 15.
But only 332,800 had been sent by last Wednesday.
The delay in getting the vaccine has led to disarray at public-health offices, long lines at immunization clinics and confusion and anger among those who can’t find the vaccine.
Maricopa County’s public-health director, Dr. Bob England, says he’s getting some very angry calls and e-mails about the shortage of vaccines.
___
Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
