While residents in some large cities are clamoring because they have been unable to get flu shots, local health workers are at a loss as to explain why, when the vaccines are readily available here, folks in the Crossroads area aren't taking advantage.

“We've been fortunate to receive a lot of the vaccine, but the response has been very light,” said Julie Cantu, a member of the nursing staff at the health clinic in College Park Shopping Center. “We've been trying to get the word out, but people are not responding. We would think that firefighters, police, pregnant women and others would really be wanting to get the shots, but they haven't so far.”

And time is running out.

The vaccines will only be available at the clinic through Friday. They will be administered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Friday until 4 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. The health department is closed from noon until 1 p.m. each day.

Throw protocols out the window.

“We are able to vaccinate the general public now. Any one six months and older can get vaccinated,” said Stephanie Ferguson, RN.

“We received more seasonal flu vaccine. We received 300 doses of shots and 30 more doses of flu mist.  We were not expecting any more seasonal flu vaccine, so this was a nice surprise for our community,” said Ferguson. “If you didn’t get one the first time, now is your chance.  Also, this is a great opportunity for those of you who have certain children that require the second dose and haven’t been able to find it.”

While the shots are now available to anyone, a couple of specific groups are encouraged to not miss this opportunity.

“Pregnant women are urged to come in. Anyone with a newborn to six-month-old baby is encouraged to come in,” said Cantu. “You really need to do it to protect the health of the children.”

Among other groups, also at high risk are people who have already had the H1N1 flu, also known as the swine flu.

“They especially need to come in if they have already been exposed to the H1N1,” said Cantu. “It is expected the second time they get it would be worse than the first time.”

Anyone having any question about whether they should be vaccinated is encouraged to call the clinic at 263-9782.

“If they are busy at work, they can call after hours and leave a message and we will get back to them the next morning,” said Cantu.

She said the local office has experienced no major adverse reactions to the vaccines.

“There's been very little reaction to it. We do ask that people wait around for about 10 minutes or so after receiving the vaccine, just as a precaution. But we haven't had any major reactions at all,” Cantu said.

The clinic is located in the College Park Shopping Center which is at the corner of Birdwell Lane and Fourth Street.