Mollen Immunization Clinics cancels vaccinations at Rite Aid

CAMP HILL, Pa. Mollen Immunization Clinics, the nurse clinic provider scheduled to administer regular seasonal flu shots at select Rite Aid stores in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington, has notified Rite Aid it has canceled the clinics scheduled Oct. 13 through mid-December on account of a shortage of the regular season flu vaccine, Rite Aid announced Monday.

The Centers for Disease Control said the shortage stems from manufacturers focusing on producing the H1N1 flu vaccine. “We know that some providers, some communities, some health departments don’t have as much [seasonal] vaccine that they ordered,” Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press conference Friday. “We ask for people’s patience. I know this is challenging [but] there’s time to get the seasonal vaccine and more will be coming out regularly,” she said.

“The good news is, we have more seasonal flu vaccine out than we typically would at this time of year,” Schuchat said. To date, more than 77 million doses of seasonal vaccine has been distributed. ”Bad news is, more people want it than can get it.”

Schucat explained that some vaccine manufacturers have adjusted their calendars to make sure they can distribute the H1N1 vaccine as early in the season as possible.

Regular seasonal flu shots still can be obtained from certified immunizing Rite Aid pharmacists in select West Coast Rite Aid stores, Rite Aid announced.

In all other states where Rite Aid operates, regular seasonal flu shot clinics will continue as planned Oct. 20 through 22.