It’s Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot, But The Vaccine Is Getting Hard To Find

CHARLOTTE, NC.–  Right now the number of flu-related deaths in North Carolina stands at 67. It’s not too late to get your flu shot, but the vaccine is getting hard to find.

We’re halfway through flu season, and the virus is showing no signs of slowing down.

Experts say because of how severe the virus is this season, emergency departments and clinics are full. Doctors are still urging people to get the flu shot, but it’s not going to be easy to find. At Pikes Pharmacy, they’ve been out for a month.

“The independent retail pharmacists in the Charlotte area have been calling each other asking do you have extra? Can we get some of that for our own use,” says the owner of Pikes Pharmacy Jesse Pike.

Several CVS Pharmacies we called are also out of the vaccine, same with Rite-Aid. Novant Health Officials say they still have vaccine in stock. The Mecklenburg County Health department still has the vaccine too. So – you’ll have to call around if you want to get a shot.

“I haven’t gotten it yet. Because I was going to get it, but I got the flu before I had the flu shot,” says Gillie Lewis, who still plans to get her flu shot.

Reports show the flu vaccine is about 35% effective this year, a startling statistic for some. Experts say it’s better than nothing.

“Even though it may be only a third effective, that is the best thing that we have. We have no other way to combat it,” says Jesse Pike.

Hospitals across our area are banning young visitors in an effort to keep the flu from spreading.