Hoag Braces for Onslaught at Flu Clinic

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, which turned to a private supplier of flu vaccine shortly after learning about nationwide distribution problems, got barely enough doses for its first clinic today and is hoping long-delayed back orders arrive in time for three clinics next week.

The private, nonprofit hospital managed to secure 2,000 doses for today’s drive-through clinic, a popular event even in years when there’s plenty of vaccine to go around. The clinic typically draws about 3,000 seniors and others in high-risk groups.

This year, with so many hospitals and private and public health centers canceling flu-shot clinics, Hoag officials are bracing for an unprecedented turnout.

“Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to has canceled their clinics. That’s why we expect to have a larger-than-usual crowd,” hospital spokeswoman Debra Legan said.

Like a lot of other health care providers, Hoag was notified there would be delays in deliveries of state-issued vaccines because manufacturers had trouble growing a common strain or started production late because of quality-control issues.

The hospital didn’t get any of its state allotment and decided to fill its entire order with a private vendor it usually relies on to augment its supplies, Legan said.

The 2,000 doses Hoag has received were expected to be gone within the first couple of hours of the drive-through clinic at its main campus. It is open to nonresidents but limited to people 60 years and older and those of all ages with serious medical conditions.

As of Friday, hospital officials did not know whether the rest of the batches they ordered from the vendor would be delivered before next week’s clinics. They are tentatively scheduled Nov. 17-19 at four locations.

“We put in orders months and months ago, but we still haven’t received” them, Legan said. “We hope it comes next week. We’re going to wait until the last minute to see if we have to cancel the other clinics.”

Legan said updates about clinic schedules can be obtained by calling (800) 514-4624.