Posted on 10/17/2004 10:13:00 AM PDT by sheikdetailfeather
Police Called When Crowd Of 600 Gets Unruly Waiting For Flu Shots
POSTED: 8:38 am EDT October 17, 2004 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Police were called when a crowd of 600 people got unruly after gathering at a St. Petersburg supermarket for hoped-for flu shots. Less than 300 doses were on hand.
Store managers called police after people started screaming and hollering for tickets for the shots. Two officers and a sergeant helped restore calm.
Some people spent the night in sleeping bags to be near the front of the line. Elderly men and women waited in wheelchairs and leaned on walkers. Some brought lawn chairs and umbrellas.
The nation's suddenly limited supply of flu vaccine is going fast. The rush for shots has become political fodder.
Democratic Senate candidate Betty Castor talked with people waiting for shots at a Tampa supermarket. She said government is not doing its job.
A new ad from John Kerry's campaign blames President George W. Bush for ignoring warnings about shortages three years ago.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
every year folks are offered a flu shot....most years NO ONE will take them, or very few.....this year they are PANICed gettting them.....what a bunch of idiots
What I wonder is how many people were actually planning on getting a flu shot before it was reported that there was a shortage.
I'm going to be interested (as one who has never felt the need for a flu shot) in what the season-ending numbers will end up being...I almost would be willing to make a bet that the totals won't show much of any increase in those that got the flu.
This is getting ridiculous. Don't these people know that camping outside to wait in line for a flu shot only increases your chances of getting sick in the first place!
You Americans are a fine people but you don;t know how to queue up for things do you?
Ah yes, British queueing, the best in the world! ;o)
Exactly. These people are nuts.
Bingo!
Give all available vaccine to the seniors and kids.
Simply a false assertion. Millions of doses are consumed every year.
Consider if gas stations suddenly had only 1/2 of the supply of gasoline. You would see lines and unruly behavior there also.
no offense dog, but you people are the ones with the tainted meds that is stopping us from getting it....shame on the Brits...other than that I LOVE TONY....he RULES he is so brave!!!
Then Betty Castor should become a scientist or invest in biotech to support the industry.
No,
We are Queueless when it comes to lines ;^)
well, maybe you are right...Im speaking of around here and also it was quoted on Fox News last night, that there is never a "panic" for flu shots and now all of a sudden there is, because of the fact that less if available......
"What I wonder is how many people were actually planning on getting a flu shot before it was reported that there was a shortage.
Exactly. These people are nuts."
First rule of advertising, tell em they can't have it & they'll want it.
the Dems are smelling a big political issue here - and they are running with it. the WH political operation better get plugged into this - fast.
me too !!
I'll bet there will be plenty of vaccine availabe after Nov. 2nd.
Made to order shortage for the Democrats to use against Bush.
Standing in line like communists in a communist wonderland. If Kerry wins it will be like that for milk and bread.
yep and thats the way it always usually is.....Seniors and Kids.....now all of a sudden everyone is scared and wants the shot...I never take them....
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