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CNN Live At Daybreak
Government Rushing 100,000 More Doses of Flu Vaccines to States
Aired December 12, 2003 - 05:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The government is rushing 100,000 more doses of flu vaccines to the states this week as the illness spreads. At least 20 children have died this flu season and cases have now been reported in all 50 states. There are now 24 states seen -- as you're about to see in blue -- where the flu is widespread. That's nearly double the number of states from last week.
We have affiliate reports from opposite sides of the country, beginning with KOAT's David Quinlan in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID QUINLAN, KOAT CORRESPONDENT: The flu virus has already taken one New Mexico baby. Now thousands of people are trying to get their hands on a vaccination, especially for their children. In fact, the state health department here just received about 8,000 doses. They expect about 10,000 doses later this week.
Meantime, private clinics like this are having to turn down patients because they can't keep up with the demand.
David Quinlan, CNN, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been in line for about an hour now.
KIM FETTIG, WFSB CORRESPONDENT: In the cold rain, people waited, even with small children, hoping to get the last of the town of Southington's flu vaccine.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The pediatrician ran out of shots and this was our only other opportunity.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I'm getting the flu shot because there's a flu going around. But I don't really want to get it.
FETTIG: And Briana Rialano (ph) will just make the cut. Inside the VNA clinic, they don't have vaccine for children under 10. Across the state, parents will be hard pressed to find a place with any vaccine left for toddlers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's between pediatricians and hospitals, nobody has any idea for little kids. It's not a comfortable thought.
FETTIG: Nearly 400 people have tested positive for the flu in the State of Connecticut since October. An early and deadly season across the country, prompting many people to get vaccinated for the first time.
SUSAN PEAK, NURSE PRACTITIONER: Everyone is waiting for the 1918 pandemic. We don't know. We never know when that immunologic shift is going to happen.
FETTIG: Southington's health director is even trying out a new needle-free injector. But this may be the last night for flu vaccines in this town and towns across the state.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're using up the last of it tonight and that's it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: That last report from Kim Fettig of Hartford, Connecticut affiliate WFSB.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
States>
Aired December 12, 2003 - 05:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The government is rushing 100,000 more doses of flu vaccines to the states this week as the illness spreads. At least 20 children have died this flu season and cases have now been reported in all 50 states. There are now 24 states seen -- as you're about to see in blue -- where the flu is widespread. That's nearly double the number of states from last week.
We have affiliate reports from opposite sides of the country, beginning with KOAT's David Quinlan in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID QUINLAN, KOAT CORRESPONDENT: The flu virus has already taken one New Mexico baby. Now thousands of people are trying to get their hands on a vaccination, especially for their children. In fact, the state health department here just received about 8,000 doses. They expect about 10,000 doses later this week.
Meantime, private clinics like this are having to turn down patients because they can't keep up with the demand.
David Quinlan, CNN, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been in line for about an hour now.
KIM FETTIG, WFSB CORRESPONDENT: In the cold rain, people waited, even with small children, hoping to get the last of the town of Southington's flu vaccine.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The pediatrician ran out of shots and this was our only other opportunity.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I'm getting the flu shot because there's a flu going around. But I don't really want to get it.
FETTIG: And Briana Rialano (ph) will just make the cut. Inside the VNA clinic, they don't have vaccine for children under 10. Across the state, parents will be hard pressed to find a place with any vaccine left for toddlers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's between pediatricians and hospitals, nobody has any idea for little kids. It's not a comfortable thought.
FETTIG: Nearly 400 people have tested positive for the flu in the State of Connecticut since October. An early and deadly season across the country, prompting many people to get vaccinated for the first time.
SUSAN PEAK, NURSE PRACTITIONER: Everyone is waiting for the 1918 pandemic. We don't know. We never know when that immunologic shift is going to happen.
FETTIG: Southington's health director is even trying out a new needle-free injector. But this may be the last night for flu vaccines in this town and towns across the state.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're using up the last of it tonight and that's it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: That last report from Kim Fettig of Hartford, Connecticut affiliate WFSB.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
States>
