Clinic lacks funding for flu shots
The corporate donors who underwrote flu shots at the Fourth Street Clinic for nearly 1,300 homeless Utahns last winter have yet to show up this year due to unexpectedly cold conditions across the local and national economy.
Without the support, the clinic will struggle to provide flu shots to 400, said clinic executive director Allan Ainsworth.
As with all costs in health care, the cost of flu vaccines have increased doubled, actually over a year ago. So the lack of financial support has twice the negative impact, Ainsworth said.
At $7 to $10 per dose compared to $4.40 a year ago, those who really need the vaccines the clinic's clientele is usually much more likely to be health compromised than the general population are at much higher risk of getting the flu. And of having serious health complications, such as pneumonia, as a result, he said.
And given the constant exposure to the elements during the day, and the close quarters of shelters at night, Ainsworth and other advocates for homeless Utahns are seriously worried that flu might go quickly out of control if vaccines don't become available.
Tight quarters with more people will no doubt cause widespread flu transmission in a population that already suffers from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and respiratory illnesses, said Dr. Bob Rolfs, Fourth Street Clinic volunteer internist and board vice chairman.
"When sick people living in stressful, crowded conditions get the flu, they become sicker very quickly and can often risk death and require hospitalizations," Rolfs said, adding that additional sick care costs a lot more than $10.
Fourth Street staff believe $10,000 is needed to fund this year's flu vaccination program. Costs will cover the purchase of the vaccines and program medical supplies. University of Utah medical students will continue to volunteer on site and at outreach locations to administer the vaccines.
For more information on Fourth Street Clinic or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.fourthstreetclinic.org.
E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com
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Send 'em to West Valley City next Wednesday.
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