High demand forces Barnes-Jewish to cancel 3 free flu shot sessions

KSDK -- Barnes-Jewish Hospital cancelled three free seasonal flu shot sessions because of higher demand and a national shortage of flu vaccine, but there still some sessions coming up.

The cancelled sessions were scheduled for October 10 at Emerson Family YMCA at 3390 Pershall Road, October 14 at Edward Jones Family YMCA at 12521 Marine Avenue and on October 24 at Monsanto Family YMCA at 5555 Page Boulevard.

The hospital gave 19,656 adult shots to the public and St. Louis Children's Hospital gave 484 shots to children since the sessions began on Monday. Thirty-five-thousand doses were available at the beginning of the campaign.

Barnes-Jewish officials attributed the demand to three factors.

"A national seasonal flu vaccine shortage has led more people here than we've seen in the past," says Jim Gray, Barnes-Jewish pharmacy director. "The seasonal flu vaccine supply is down 30-50% over previous years and there just aren't as many places to get a shot this year."

Gray said an increased awareness of the flu due to the H1N1 flu combined with a higher than usual unemployment rate have also steered more people to get the free seasonal shots.

All doses will be given on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Preregistration is not required. For more information, call 314-TOP-DOCS (867-3627).

The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the H1N1 or Swine Flu Virus.

Seasonal flu shot sessions:

Through Friday, October 9
7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Adult vaccinations only (18+ years old)
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, south lobby
One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking is available at the South Garage for $1.50/hr.

Through Friday, October 9
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Center for Advanced Medicine - 3rd floor
4921 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking is available at the North Garage for $1.50/hr.

Sunday, October 11
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Creve Coeur Safety Fair
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Siteman Cancer Center, Medical Office Building 2
10 Barnes West Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Safety Fair Parking is Free of Charge

In addition, free vaccines will be offered as part of BJC HealthCare's "Healthy Mind-Body-Spirit" faith based outreach program. Those dates are:

Sunday, October 11
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Friendly Temple
5544 Dr Martin Luther King Dr
Saint Louis, MO 63140

Friday, October 16
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Urban League - Jennings
8960 Jennings Station Rd
St Louis, MO 63136

Sunday, October 18
12 - 3 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Christ the King UCC
11370 Old Halls Ferry Road
Florissant, MO 63033

Tuesday, October 20
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Grace Hill - Hadley
2524 Hadley
St. Louis, MO 63106

Wednesday, October 21
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Shalom City of Peace (TBD)
5491 N Highway 67
St. Louis, MO 63034

Friday, October 23
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
100 Black Men
4631 Delmar Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108

Sunday, October 25
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Central Baptist
2842 Washington Ave
St Louis, MO 63103

Friday, October 30
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Urban League - Grendel
3701 Grendel Square
St. Louis, MO 63108

Saturday, October 31
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
St. John UCC Annual Health Fair
4136 N Grand Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63107

Sunday, November 1
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
New Sunnymount
4700 W Florissant Ave
St Louis, MO 63115

Saturday, November 7
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Adult & Pediatric vaccinations (6 months & up)
Delta Sigma Theta
3858 Washington Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following adults be vaccinated each year:

1.) People at high risk for complications from the flu.

People 65 years and older

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses

Adults with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma

Adults who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS])

Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season

People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.)

2.) People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 - 64 years.

3.) People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 0 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the following guidelines for children:

Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Influenza vaccination is also of benefit to older children.

If this is the first year your child is receiving the flu vaccine and he/she is under the age of 9 years, a second follow-up vaccine is required four weeks after the first dose for maximum effectiveness. (Only the first dose will be given at these clinics; you will need to see your primary healthcare provider for the follow-up vaccine).