Hundreds in Hawai'i receive flu vaccination
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
The state's first flu shot clinics for the chronically ill yesterday drew more than 535 people who avoided lines and received the vaccine free of charge as part of an effort to protect the state's most at-risk patients.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
State Health Department officials devised the appointment-only system to allow people to get shots through physician referrals and to target those most likely to suffer serious complications from the seasonal disease during a vaccine shortage.
Helen Lai, 89, of Mo'ili'ili, got her flu shot at Lanakila Health Center yesterday. The state-run clinic was set up to help residents deal with the vaccine shortage. Appointments are by referral only.
Helen Lai, 89, of Mo'ili'ili, usually gets a yearly shot from her doctor but went to the state clinic because of the shortage. She was pleased with the set-up yesterday afternoon at the Lanakila Health Center. "Very fast, no waiting," she said.
Lai said she was concerned about getting the protective shot, but not worried. "I have faith in my doctor. He told me he would get me one," she said.
The 10,000 doses that are being used in the clinics come from a combination of state supplies and from thousands of doses donated by HMSA, which had planned to use the vaccine at its own public clinics, which were canceled after the shortage began.
Ruth Ota, chief of the Health Department's public health nursing branch, said the state also ran clinics in Wahiawa and Kane'ohe yesterday. Today, Neighbor Island clinics begin on Lana'i, Moloka'i and Kaua'i, and tomorrow on the Big Island and Maui.
"We felt the best way was to have the physicians do the screening," Ota said. "They know their patients."
A nationwide flu vaccine shortage announced Oct. 5 by manufacturer Chiron Corp. sparked concern as millions of people who routinely get the shots annually found that there wouldn't be enough doses to go around.
To get a state flu shot: People must be classified as chronically ill and referred to the free clinics by a doctor. Physicians must fill out a "Flu Vaccine Order Form 2004-05" and make an appointment for their patients. Patients must take the form and an ID to the appointment to get their shots. Those who don't have an appointment or a form will be turned away. For more information, check on the Web at www.hawaii.gov/health Source: State Health Department
Officials here said Hawai'i is in better shape than some states because 230,000 doses of flu vaccine have arrived in the Islands in contrast to some states that got very few doses.
Referrals only
Still, news of the shortage sent worried residents to clinics and doctors in large numbers last month.
Health officials remind residents that they must be referred to the free clinics by their doctors and that anyone who just shows up will be turned away.
Shirley Solis, who lives in the University area, said she got a flu shot for the first time because her doctor recommended it after she developed a chronic illness this year.
Her doctor didn't have any vaccine but told her getting a shot was "a must" this year. That's when her son stepped in to help. "My son tried calling all over — nobody had," she said. Then he read about the state clinics, and her doctor set up yesterday's appointment.
Ted Kohashi, 85, of Makiki Heights, said he usually gets his shot at the doctor so he was relieved when the office got him an appointment through the state clinic.
At the Windward Health Center, appointments ran smoothly.
Jane and Samuel Kakelaka, both in their 80s and asthmatic, found out their doctor didn't have the vaccine this year. "That's why he recommended we come here," Jane Kakelaka said.
The Kakelakas, who have been married 53 years, said they count on the shots to help keep them healthy. "I think we have much to be thankful for," she said.
Loretta Baptiste, 72, of Kailua, said she is a borderline diabetic and a big believer in flu shots as preventive medicine. She used to take the shots regularly when she worked in retail stores.
Baptiste remembers being in her 40s and figuring she was too young for such shots. "One year, I got the flu real bad and that was it," she said. "I was knocked to my knees."
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
