Flu vaccinations below expectations

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - While many people have been getting vaccinated for the flu this year, the number is still lagging behind expectations.

The Centers for Disease Control has set a goal of having 90% of all susceptible people vaccinated for the flu this year, but so far, only about an estimated 60% have done so.

Springfield Deputy Health Commissioner Bettye Frederic told 22News that they are going to continue running flu clinics indefinitely, but a big obstacle are the people who will just not be inoculated because they have misgivings about the vaccine.

“There are lots of folks out there who refuse to accept the facts, and it’s not just hard-headeds, I think. The reasons they give us is that they know people who’ve gotten the vaccine, and something dire happened to them. So, they use that experience to inform what they’re doing,” Frederic said.

She added that some are reluctant to get the flu vaccine because there is a misconception that the government makes the vaccine. Private companies actually manufacture the vaccine.

Springfield’s health department has a flu clinic running every day from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. and from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at their offices at 93 State Street.