Norwalk Health Department offers extra hours during flu season

<p>The most popular medication to treat the flu is now getting harder to find.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 25, 2018, 2:08 PM

Updated 2,289 days ago

Share:

The Norwalk Health Department is expanding its clinic hours to meet the high demand for flu vaccinations.
Doctors say flu season still hasn't hit its peak yet. They say it wouldn't be uncommon to see cases through April.
A flu clinic was held into Thursday evening to give working adults and students a chance to get the shot. Flu vaccinations are also available on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., but because of the busy season, those hours are also expanding.
Officials at the health department say they haven't run out of any supplies, but they have gotten referrals from doctors who have run out of shots.
Darleen Hoffler, supervisor of clinical services, says high demand for the vaccination and recent weather are to blame for a delay in supplies. Officials say the unexpected flu-related death of a 10-year-old from New Canaan has drawn an influx of concerned parents to the clinic.
"Recently due to the concern of the community, there's increased interest," Hoffler says. "So we have been getting additional calls, primarily from families concerned about protecting their children."
Meanwhile, Tamiflu, one of the most popular medications to treat the flu is also getting harder to find.
Many doctors prescribe the anti-viral medication, or its generic version, to help kick the illness to the curb quicker and limit the damage it does.
Officials say the health department accepts most health insurance providers and will not turn anyone without insurance away.


More from News 12
Traffic Alert: I-95 closed until at least Monday in Norwalk. Here's how the tanker fire is affecting the area.

Traffic Alert: I-95 closed until at least Monday in Norwalk. Here's how the tanker fire is affecting the area.

1:35
Dry with temperatures back in the 60s; rain is on the way for Connecticut

Dry with temperatures back in the 60s; rain is on the way for Connecticut

2:26
Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

1:19
Man who oversaw cleanup of I-95 Bridgeport crash in 2004 reflects on Norwalk fire

Man who oversaw cleanup of I-95 Bridgeport crash in 2004 reflects on Norwalk fire

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

3:14
Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

2:39
Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

  Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:14
Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

0:32
 Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:24
Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:39
Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

1:38
Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

1:48
Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency

Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency