Long lines and short tempers best describe last year’s flu vaccine shortage. But this year the Centers For Disease Control reports there are 90-million doses of available flu vaccine. This amount is enough to immunize people at high risk for flu and also the rest of the population.

The Macon County Public Health Department will begin offering flu shots early to mid November. Some doctor’s offices have already begun offering the vaccine, but are temporarily running short on doses.

Macon County Health Department’s director, Nathan Hale, says there is reason for periodic shortages.

“There is no shortage this year, however we have none of the vaccine on hand as of yet. There is not a vaccine shortage, it’s just a matter of when it will be shipped to our area.” said Hale.

From Macon County to Davidson County, health officials are saying they have enough vaccine to handle the number of mid-state residents who want a flu shot.

The cost of flu shots are averaging $25 in Middle Tennessee. Macon County Public Health Department will be charging $23 for the flu shot and $36 for the pneumonia vaccine.

They will accept Medicare and TennCare.

A mass flu shot clinic will be held as soon as the vaccine is shipped.

Doctors say the shot will not necessarily work for the Avian Flu because that specific vaccine has not been created yet.

The Macon County Health Department has expanded their services to include a nurse practitioner on staff five days per week and an MD in the office one day a week. These services were added under the safety net for Tenn Care enrollees who lost their coverage. The Health Department will be adding additional staff in the near future and expand their services to the area.