Clinic lacks funding for flu shots

With the wintertime spike in the need for emergency shelter and cases of the flu almost here, the main source of health care for Utah's homeless population finds itself without funding for this year's flu vaccination program.

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.

The homeless population has gotten a lot less exclusive the past few months as the tide of mortgage foreclosures have risen. People find themselves without shelter and no alternative but staying a night or two at The Road Home and other service providers that are already overflowing and packing people into hallways, boardrooms and closets.

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.

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E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com