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Spike in vaccine demands as flu season moves in

CENTRAL FLORIDA — There's been a huge spike in demand for the vaccines as the peak of flu season moves in.

But some central Florida clinics and pharmacies were out of the shots on Monday.

But health officials said there's plenty to go around.

Doctors' offices and local clinics were flooded with people trying to get flu shots when news of flu-related deaths in central Florida spread.

"It created a lot of panic in people," said Dr. Tim Hendrix with Centra-Care.

Hendrix said the demand was so high at the end of last week, that over the weekend some of his clinics ran out of the vaccine.

"Thursday, Friday, Saturday we really saw a lot of people coming in. Thirty to 40 people a day coming into different centers," he said.

Some pharmacies were in the same boat and had to call in for emergency supplies that should start rolling in this week.

The Orange County Health Department said there is plenty of the vaccine available, but some places were hit harder than others with the high demand.

Currently, the Health Department has roughly 2,000 doses, and is planning free clinics at the end of this week.

Centra-Care analyzed its supply Monday and had to redistribute its 600 doses across its 21 central Florida locations.

It's expecting another 300 doses on Tuesday, and it even ordered more from a second supplier.

Hendrix said it is still not too late to be vaccinated.

"Considering you're still going to be exposed to the flu for the next couple of months, it's worthwhile to get your flu shot," Hendrix said.