Many having trouble finding flu shots in El Paso

The fact that thousands of people in El Paso have the flu has left many in search of flu shots this week.

But some are running into dead ends around town.

ABC-7 had several people write emails and call the newsroom after having no luck searching for flu shots at places like Walgreens, Wal-Mart and Albertson’s.

ABC-7 called at least a dozen pharmacies in El Paso and found that almost every one was completely out of the vaccine.

So we went to the Walgreens by UTEP and there were no flu shots there. At an Albertson’s on Mesa they didn’t have any flu shots and told ABC-7 they didn’t expect to have any for several days. And at a Wal-Mart on the West Side it was the same situation … No shots.

“I got it over there on the East Side back in October,” said El Pasoan Delia Kerrick, who felt sorry for those that are now having a hard time finding flu shots. “There are a lot of people out there that are very sick and it’s unfortunate this is happening. We just got hit hard this time.”

ABC-7 stopped by the Department of Public Health and asked them about the situation.

“I’m thinking that more than likely they didn’t order enough vaccine and that’s probably why now they don’t have any,” said Roxann Parks, chief nursing officer for the Department of Public Health.

Parks explained places like Walgreens, Albertson’s and Wal-Mart order only a few vaccines at a time so they don’t get stuck with them in down years for the flu.

“We still have 768 doses left so they can come to us,” Parks said. “We still have plenty!”

There are six Department of Public Health clinics where you can get the flu vaccine. Call them at 771-5822.

Another place ABC-7 found the vaccine is at Immunize El Paso at 857-2474.