Campaign gives Florida residents 30,000 flu shots for free

Phones at Get Healthy Florida are ringing non-stop with people in search of the influenza vaccine. Calls are from mothers who have just received word that their children's pediatrician couldn't obtain the vaccine, and seniors who have gone from clinic to clinic only to find most shots are gone.

Next week, the Get Healthy Florida events will be one of the few places in Central Florida offering the vaccine after groups that normally set up outside grocery and drug stores begin to focus their efforts toward nursing homes and other high-risk establishments. And thanks to the Get Healthy Florida sponsors, all shots are free.

The Central Florida Company, who just last year began the free flu shot events, has over 30,000 vaccines available for adults and children in the high-risk category. They will give thousands of shots per day at each of the five events planned in October. Three additional events are scheduled in December. They expect this year to be a repeat of 2003, with many camping out and thousands lining up at a chance to get the shot.

"We will have more doctor and nurse volunteers to administer the vaccine in order to keep up with the projected influx of people. Once the line starts moving, we are able to vaccinate approximately 25 people per minute," said Company co-founder Shannon Sayre.

Leading up to the 2003 flu season, Get Healthy Florida administered more than 10,000 vaccinations free of charge to Central Floridians, at a time when most doctors and health departments were unable to get the serum.

This year's event partners are: the Florida Health Department, Florida Hospital Centra Care, Amerigroup, Z-88.3 radio and Chick-Fil-A.

You can find complete addresses for event locations at http://www.gethealthyflorida.com.