Health Dept. Overwhelmed by H1N1
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: October 29, 2009
H1N1 is treated exactly the same as the seasonal flu, and health officials are doing all they can. It's just that, right now - demand is just higher than the supply.
The vaccine supply here in Lubbock is certainly low, the health department without any shipments yet and that's making many folks upset, as fears continue to rise.
Phone call after phone call, the Health Department tries their best to field questions from folks anxious to get the H1N1 vaccine. Unfortunately, right now, there's no vaccine to offer. Officials tell us they have no idea when they'll receive it.
That makes many callers extremely upset. Some becoming hostile, others become overwhelmed with tears.
This after health officials confirmed a second death related to H1N1 this week. A Floyd County woman in her mid-30's died Wednesday night at Covenant.
Now calls to the health department, desperate for access to the vaccine are only expected to continue. Unfortunately -- there's not much the health department can do. Having a vaccine in stock is solely up to the centers for disease control. They tell us though, when they do receive their shipment, they will make it known. Of course, when that will be is still unknown.
