Local Clinics Run Dry of Flu Vaccine in Time of Need - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

National shortages of the flu vaccine are hitting hard in North Dakota.

     Some clinics say they've run dry and won't be getting any more.

Many patients are getting the last few nasal spray vaccines in stock, but don't panic yet. There are still a few places locally with vaccines left.

Workers at the 7-Day Clinic in South Fargo say lately it's not uncommon to treat up to 90 patients a day.

Bret Danielson, physician's assistant at the clinic, says 90-percent of those cases have been flu-like illnesses. It's becoming an epidemic that's worrying patients and medical workers.

"The shortages are going to come in the way of the rushes of people that get it," Danielson said.

Doctors say the shortage happens when more people walk through their doors than they planned for at the start of the season when they were ordering the vaccine.

"I just know when my nurse says we're running low," he said. "We were for a little bit there."

While there may be more supply nationally, clinics like these likely won't get their hands on it any time soon.

"It usually starts in one state then moves on," Danielson said of the flu."So, if people are seeing a lot of their, they're going to be requesting the vaccine. By the time it spreads, there's just none left."

So, what's your best bet? Try a larger pharmacy, like Walgreens or CVS, where workers planned to treat more patients. Because this late in the season, a vaccine is hard to come by, and demand is weighing hard.

Doctors recommend you get your vaccine sooner rather than later. With some cold weather coming our way, they say illnesses spike when people spend more time indoors.