KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- More than 200,000 unused flu shots in Florida are going to be destroyed. It was only a few months ago that people were standing in long lines because there was a vaccine shortage and shots were being rationed.

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We heard so much about the flu vaccine shortage last fall, but it turns out extra shipments did come in later in the season. But, by then, many people didn't want them and Thursday all of the shots expired. Now, the shots are being thrown away and burned.

"It ultimately will be destroyed, yes," explained Bill Miller, Osceola County Health Department.

The Osceola County Health Department has officially quarantined more than 5,000 leftover vials and syringes, ready for shipment to a biohazard incinerator.

"They come up with the strain they think will be the most likely problem strain, and that's the ones they zero in on when they manufacture the vaccines," Miller said.

Since those strains change from year to year, so does the vaccine. When a major manufacturer had problems last year, the result was long lines of seniors and children trying to get the shots. When that changed a few months later, Osceola County had a free clinic to give shots away.

"We just could not get enough people out to get the vaccine. We tried we advertised in the paper and on the radio and had it available," Miller said.

But once the vaccines expire, they can't be used. Some health departments already packed them in special biohazard containers to make room for this fall's supply.

"We've got some on order now and hopefully it's gonna be in time for flu season and we can get an early start in getting the vaccine distributed," Miller said.

Health departments say, if you are concerned about making sure you get a flu shot this fall, you can already call your doctor's office to make an appointment. That way they will have a better count of how many shots to order.