© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

After Running Out, Bay Co. Health Officials Ready To Administer Kids' Flu Shots Again

CDC/MGN Online

Bay County health officials say they’re ready to start administering flu vaccines for local kids again. The health department ran out of the vaccine earlier this week.

Due to a huge response from parents last week and this week, Bay County health department spokeswoman Heather Kretzer says her agency had no more children’s flu shots.

“We really had an overwhelming response and we’re so thankful that parents were so proactive in protecting their children from the flu. We actually did 79 last week, and 29 on Friday.”

Thursday afternoon, Bay County health officials received a supply of 30 children’s flu vaccines. Kretzer says they have put in a request to receive even more, which could come in early next week. For more information on where to locate a flu shot, visit FloridaHealth.gov/FindAFluShot.

Meanwhile, other parts of the Florida Panhandle are experiencing a flurry of flu-related activity.  Gulf County schools closed their doors last Friday, due to between 20 and 25 percent of their students out with the flu. And, according to Leon County schools, there are 800 more students absent in the district, compared to this time last year.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.