Park Nicollet Clinic: No more flu-shot appointments

Park Nicollet Clinic said that it's no longer accepting appointments for the H1N1 vaccine because demand has outstripped its supply

Star Tribune

Last update: October 28, 2009 - 7:48 AM

Park Nicollet Clinic said Tuesday it's no longer accepting appointments for H1N1 flu shots because demand has outstripped its supply.

On Monday, the clinic shut down its flu-shot hot line after it was deluged with 120,000 phone calls in four hours. Tuesday, it asked the public to stop sending e-mail requests for appointments as well. The clinic announced last week it had received 17,000 doses of the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine.

Park Nicollet was among the first 150 clinics in Minnesota to receive supplies of the vaccine. State health officials have said about 300,000 doses have been shipped to Minnesota so far, but they've been limited to health workers and high-risk patients such as pregnant women and young or frail children. Because the vaccine is still in short supply nationwide, Minnesota officials are distributing it by lottery to clinics. Park Nicollet said it will notify patients when more vaccine arrives.

MAURA LERNER

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