Suffolk News-Herald

The Western Tidewater Health Department has only about 300 does of surplus flu vaccine remaining for Suffolk residents.

On Monday, nearly 50 people took advantage of the state’s decision to relax restrictions on who qualifies for flu shots, said Pat Winter, the department’s nursing manager.

Flu vaccine had been restricted to the state’s high-risk population because of a nationwide shortage. On Monday, the state made it available to anyone from age 50 to 64 or anyone who lives in the house with a person considered at risk of suffering flu complications.

&uot;I think most of the high risk patients that want shots have gotten them,&uot; said Winter. &uot;Our goal is to give flu shots to people who want them on a walk-in basis.

&uot;I hope we will be able to use all of the remaining vaccine. We don’t want it to waste.&uot;

Qualified residents can get flu shots during the Suffolk Health Department’s immunization clinics from 2 to 3:30 p.m. daily and 2 to 6 p.m. Monday.