Flu shots in short supply, lines of people waiting to get them long.

That was the diagnosis Wednesday at the Lawrence County Health Department as a few hundred senior citizens stood outside on the sidewalk, waiting to get one of 250 doses of influenza vaccine. Because of a well-publicized nationwide shortage of vaccines, the county health department is only offering the shots to elderly people at this time. Pediatric vaccines are not available yet.

Immunization nurse Mary Holtzapfel, R.N., said the county health department received as many doses of the vaccine as they always get but since other health care providers - doctors and other clinics - did not get as many doses, or any doses at all, people who wanted the vaccination were forced to scramble to get their yearly shots.

"We've seen the people we usually see and people who don't normally come here," Holtzapfel

said. "We saw people who said they had been to the V.A. Center and were turned down."

The line began forming at 10 a.m., and some people brought lawn chairs with them so they could withstand the wait in comfort.

"I've been three or four places and they (the vaccines) either didn't come in or they only got a few," Emma Childers, of South Point, said. "Some said they weren't even going to have any or didn't know when they would get any in. I hope I get one."

For those who opt not to take the vaccination, Hotzapfel said there are ways to avoid contracting influenza.

4Avoid close contact with people and stay home when you are sick.

4Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

4Wash your hands often especially after coughs and sneezes.

4Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, as this is generally how germs are spread.

4Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep.

The health department will have a senior citizen flu vaccination clinic today from 10-12 a.m. at Fairland High School.