The Round Rock Independent School District cancelled its last seasonal flu clinic a couple weeks ago because it was out of vaccine, but Tuesday it was back open for business.
It seems just about everywhere you call, the message is the same. Pharmacies and clinics were out of the flu vaccine. The Austin-Travis County Health Department hasn't had any seasonal flu vaccine since the mass immunization clinics in September. Austin ISD is out too.
Tuesday, Round Rock ISD was giving out 500 seasonal flu mist vaccines. Parents were able to line up starting at 3 p.m. The district wanted to make sure kids stayed in school today.
The Elliott family was the first to arrive. It's also the first time the two girls will receive a flu shot. The decision was based on what happened last year.
"My sister had her birthday at Chuckie Cheese's, then I was so sick I couldn't play or anything," said Estephania Elliott, 3rd grader.
"All three of my children were sick with not-nice symptoms," said Tati Elliott, mother.
The flu shot clinic is for students ages 2 to 18. Round Rock clinics - like the others - have been very popular. The district had to cancel the last clinic because it ran out of vaccine.
"We've made a real concerted effort to get the advertisement out about this clinic and hopefully we'll be able to meet the needs of some of those people that got turned away at our last clinic," said Pam Burke, Round Rock ISD RN.
This time around, nurses will give out 500 flu mist vaccines in addition to the 1,600 vaccines they've already given out this year.
The parents in line say they want their kids protected.
"It's more or less they alternate. One gets it, then the next gets it. So it seems that it's about a month or two of sickness," said Nichelle Jackson.
The district may be getting another shipment of the seasonal flu vaccine. Right now, all they're getting is the flu mist. They say they haven't had any luck getting additional injectibles.
