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Walworth County vaccine supplies dwindle, providers await shipments

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Fighting back against the flu

Staff spent the week cleaning Walworth Middle and Grade School after an outbreak of illness forced officials to close school Tuesday. Classes will resume Monday, Oct. 26, 2009. STORY

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Public Health Nurse Joel Mallari injects an influenza vaccine at the Rock County Public Health Department in Janesville during walk-in vaccinations last month. Since then, supplies of the vaccine have become increasingly limited. Kyle Bursaw/staff.

WALWORTH COUNTY -- If you live in Walworth County, you may have to go elsewhere to get either the seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine.

A few providers have a limited supply of vaccine for select patients with appointments, but the for general public, its either wait of look to neighboring counties.

All walk-in flu clinics contacted by WalworthCountyToday.com have been cancelled while providers wait for more shipments.

Delays in shipments from vaccine manufacturers have forced the Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin to suspend its seasonal flu vaccination clinics throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

According the VNA Web site, clinics will resume as soon as additional vaccine arrives.

Shipments of seasonal flu vaccine were disrupted as vaccine suppliers switched production to the H1N1 vaccine.

The Walworth County Public Health Department also has put their clinics on hold, according to Public Health Officer Pat Grove.

Walworth County health officials are planning vaccine clinics in six communities for targeted populations but won’t release the details until vaccines arrive, Grove said.

On their Web site, Dean Health System says they currently have a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine available until additional shipments arrive.

Seasonal flu shot clinics are being put on temporary hold at this time, but Dean patients who have scheduled appointments may receive the vaccine based on our supply at the time of visit.

Calls to Delavan Walgreen's, ShopKo and Wal-Mart pharmacies, as well as Lake Geneva's Target, found that all are out of vaccine and are waiting for shipments. The companies' Web sites indicate all county clinics have been suspended.

Where to go

-- The Wisconsin 211 Web site has a state-wide flu clinic locator HERE.

--Wal-Mart offers an online flu clinic locator. The closest Wal-Mart to offer flu shots is in Crystal Lake, Ill., at 1205 Illinois Route 32.

-- Target Pharmacy in Janesville as, of Oct. 23, 2009, was giving seasonal flu vaccines during regular pharmacy hours, while supplies last. The vaccine is only available to those age 18 and older. (608) 757-0834.

-- Shopko Pharmacy in Janesville, as of Oct. 23, 2009, was giving seasonal flu vaccines by appointment, while supplies last. The vaccine is only available to those age 18 and older. (608) 754-7450.

-- Kenosha Visiting Nurses have suspended their community clinics, but flu shots will continue to be given at the KVNA office, 600 52nd St., on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until their supply is gone. Visit www.myflushot.com or 656-8400 for more information.