GREAT FALLS (AP)
The state stands to have enough flu vaccine for Montanans to receive shots before the illness’s season, health officials say. In Great Falls, the City- County Health Department on Friday had received just 1,040 of the 16,000 doses ordered, but that did not concern the agency. “It’s typical, they usually send it in increments,” said Cherry Loney, executive director. “We’re getting reassurances that our total order will be filled. There should be plenty of vaccine to go around.” Vaccine is being received incrementally statewide, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services said. Supply shortages occurred in the United States in 2004, and last year delivery glitches left some clinics scrambling to satisfy demand. “We know there’s going to be a sufficient amount of vaccine; you just have to be patient,” said Joyce Burgutt, immunization supervisor for Health and Human Services. Burgutt said it was not possible to say how many doses Montana will receive, given that some of the purchases are by private parties. Montana’s flu season is in December and January, and the body takes only 10 days to respond to vaccine, she said. In Bozeman, medical offices report having plenty of vaccine and say they are on track to receive more than enough doses for the eventual demand. “I’ve ordered 4,000 doses, just in case,” said Siena Kolb, administrative assistant at Bozeman Urgent Care. “As of now we have enough and we’ve been promised we’ll get as much as we need.” Nurse Stephanie Murphy of the Gallatin Valley Health Department said distribution appears to be unfolding smoothly. “I’ve been told supply is not going to be an issue,” Murphy said. “We don’t have our pediatric flu vaccine yet, but it’s been received by the state and should be ready shortly.”
