Still time to get flu vaccine

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - You may not know anyone who's had the flu yet this year. That's because the peak flu season is just getting started. There's still time to get the flu vaccine.

If you've ever had the flu, you know you don't want to have it again.

You can avoid it with a flu shot. And now, residents of New York State can get their flu and pneumococcal vaccinations from a pharmacist.

Dennis Galluzzo (Family Medical Pharmacy, Amherst) said, "The law passed around December 4, and then regulations had to be written, and we are ready to go."

Galluzzo is Executive Director of the Pharmacists Association of Western New York.

He points out that New York pharmacists have been waiting for this capability for a long time.

"New York is actually the 49th state in the nation to finally pass this bill. Maine is the only state left that doesn't allow pharmacists to immunize against these diseases."

They have to attend courses to become certified as vaccinators, then apply for new permits - the "i" in front of the number means immunization-certified. It may seem late in the season, but there's still plenty of time to get a shot.

"It's still important to get the vaccination even this late in the season because those people that have chronic disease."

"Diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, or for those people especially that are over 65-years-old, they are at very hitgh risk of morbidity and mortality."

Dennis also teaches University at Buffalo pharmacy students. Now, immunization will be a new part of their curriculum.

U.B. pharmacy student Lindsay Debellis said, "I think its a great advancement in the practice of pharmacy, more scope that the pharmacists get to deal with."

"Quite frankly, its a wonderful thing that we can do, because we are improving the health of the general community."

He'll be hosting a flu shot clinic this Saturday at his pharmacy. It's free, but you have to sign up in advance - call 568-0800.

News 4's Don Postles asked, "Is there really still time? How long does it take for a flu shot to work?"

Doctor Peter Ostrow asid, "It's quick - about two weeks. So far there have only been two verified cases of influenza in Erie County, and the state is just beginning to report widespread outbreaks. So the peak of the season is a few weeks off. There is still time."