Free flu vaccine for low-income adults in San Diego County was cut in half due to state budget cuts, the county Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday.
The county will receive 36,690 free doses of the vaccine this year, compared to 65,000 last year.
County health officials said even though the amount of free vaccine has been reduced, there will be plenty of flu shots available for purchase.
“The decrease in free vaccine is the result of the fragile state budget,” said Nick Macchione, Director of HHSA. “But we expect there will be no shortage of vaccine. We anticipate there will be an adequate supply of flu vaccine this season.”
Health officials urge everyone six months and older get vaccinated against the flu. "Influenza can have serious side effects and lead to medical complications and hospitalizations, especially in the elderly and in very young children," said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., County Deputy Public Health Officer.
The flu season begins in late August.
