More Flu Shots Coming to the Natural State

Some Arkansans nervous about not getting a flu shot may not need to worry anymore. Even the Arkansas Department of Health was surprised to hear the news that the state would be receiving another 80,000 doses of the flu vaccine. Because of the nationwide shortage, the state`s first shipment was incomplete -- so this recent shipment is just more of that order. The department says with more doses, that`s 80,000 more at-risk Arkansans they`ll be able to vaccinate. The department held a statewide mass vaccination for one day just last week. Over 52,000 high-risk Arkansans were vaccinate then. The state also 45,000 doses to the state`s nursing homes as required by law. A spokesperson for the department says these doses will be sent to the state`s public health departments to distribute as soon as they can. Even with the shortage of vaccine this year, she says the state is still fortunate to have no reported cases of the flu yet. "That gives us time to get high-risk Arkansans immunized and get your immune systems built up before the flu season hits and who knows. Keep your fingers crossed, we might not have a rough season like we did last year," said Ann Wright, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Health. That shipment of doses is expected to arrive this week. The department suggests that residents keep up with local radio stations and newspapers to find out when and where in your area the shots will be administered.