State Web site errs in listing places with vaccine

By Craig Schneider and Shelia M. Poole

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The state health agency set up a Web site Wednesday to help people find the swine flu vaccine, but many places listed on the site don't have it. At least one isn't even in business yet.

The state Department of Community Health established the Web site -- at health.state.ga.us/h1n1flu -- to help people find the closest place to them that has the vaccine.

The site allows a person to type in his or her ZIP code and find places nearby that have signed up to offer the vaccine. But a spot check of about a dozen places in metro Atlanta revealed that all but two did not have the vaccine.

State health spokeswoman Joye Burton pointed out that the Web site contains a disclaimer that informs people that supplies are limited and they should call ahead to make sure the vaccine is in stock.

But the situation is creating confusion, as well as concern that people will travel to these drugstores, doctors offices and other health care providers and not receive the vaccine.

Lynette Sheikh, the practice manager for the Galleria Medical Center in Smyrna, said the office has been flooded with calls from people seeking the vaccine. Many found the center on the state Web site. By midafternoon, more than 45 people had called.

"I'm angry," Sheikh said. "You put it out there and tell people it's coming. Then you don't do what you need to do. They need to step it up."

She said callers have included people with heart conditions, asthma and those who are pregnant.

The Redding Allergy and Asthma Center in Atlanta is on the list, but the office has not even opened its doors for business.

Dr. David Redding said he hopes to open his new practice in mid-November, which should still allow him time to administer the vaccine.

The state site also lists his cellphone on the Web site, which Redding is anxious to have the state remove.

While the nasal mist swine flu vaccine has been available in limited supplies in Georgia for about a week, the swine flu shots are only starting to trickle in. The shots can be used for a broader portion of the population.

Three area hospital systems -- Emory,  Piedmont and WellStar -- said they have received a limited number of the swine flu shots. They are primarily focusing on vaccinating high-risk staff until more vaccine comes in.

The health district for Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton counties will open its five health clinics Saturday to distribute the nasal vaccine. The nasal vaccine will be available free to healthy people ages 2 to 49, though not pregnant women.

The health district for Cobb and Douglas counties, which has received the mist and expects the shots shortly, will hold a free mass immunization clinic for residents of the two counties from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Safety Village at 1220 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta.

Vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur said Wednesday that test results of its swine flu vaccine suggest that children under 10 may need two shots. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the news is not surprising, since this age group needs two doses of regular seasonal flu vaccine for full immunity to develop.

Officials at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech have applied to administer the swine flu vaccine on campus.

Ron Forehand, director of medical services at UGA's health center, wrote on the college's Web site that the vaccine will be free to all students and that plans are being developed on how to administer the drug.

Georgia Tech officials don't know when they'll receive the vaccine or what guidelines they will be required to follow in administering it.

"We're in line to get some," spokeswoman Lisa Grovenstein said. "There are a lot of unknowns at this point."

Staff writer Laura Diamond and The Associated Press contributed to this article.