Parents May Have Hard Time Finding Flu Mist For Children

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Flu season is now underway, and the push is on to get more children vaccinated against the flu. But parents may have a hard time finding the flu mist for their children.

Meghan McCorkell explains why.

Some local schools are pushing back flu mist clinics because shipments of the mist still haven't arrived.

It's one of the top ways to protect children from the flu, but some school flu mist clinics in our region are now being pushed back to the middle of flu season.

"We do have a delay in the receipt in the shipment of the next supply of flu mist," said Debbie Somerville, Baltimore County Schools.

Schools in Howard, Baltimore, Harford and Anne Arundel counties all have failed to receive their full shipment of the flu mist.

The maker of the vaccine tells WJZ unforeseen challenges in production have caused the delay.

The delay comes as many schools push for parents to get kids vaccinated as we head into flu season.

A brutal flu season last year turned tragic, with 146 pediatric deaths, compared to 112 the season before.

Health experts say vaccinating early is key. That's why they're pushing families to find another way--outside of schools--to protect their children now.

"We certainly encourage parents to consider getting flu vaccine now, before we have flu going around in the community," said Somerville.

Still, some parents say they don't plan to vaccinate.

"I don't like chemicals in our bodies and my kids' bodies," Pat Villegas said. "I think natural immunities are better than any kind of chemical I'd want to put in their body."

Others say they do every year.

"My husband's a pediatrician, and it's just kind of in our blood to do that," said one parent.

And doctors say now is the time to do it.

While there is a delay in the flu mist, there is no shortage of the injectable flu shots, which are also considered safe for children.

This Saturday, the Baltimore County Health Department will hold free flu shot clinics for county residents at seven different locations.