Flu Season Returns: What It Means for Older Adults

Doctors are strongly advising people to get flu vaccinations this year, with coronavirus being an added concern in the months ahead, reports Channel 3000 . Pharmacists in Wisconsin say older adults, a high-risk group which can require special high-dose inoculations, may not be able to get a flu shot immediately because of low reserves. "At this point we're like yeah, we have it, yeah, we don't have it, we may have it . . . just check with us before you come in," said Forward Pharmacy owner and pharmacist Matthew Mabie. Pharmacists noted that while they order their vaccines in February, larger chains usually get shipments faster than small independent suppliers. "What we see on an annual basis regardless of COVID is that our competitor pharmacies . . . seem to receive the vaccine in August," said Fitchburg Family Pharmacy owner Thad Schumacher. "What's interesting is they push for that vaccine be given even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that you wait until mid-September or even October to get the vaccine." However, pharmacists concurred that the flu shot is very important this year in order to lower the possibility of having coronavirus and the flu simultaneously.