Need a flu shot? You may have to wait.

Cornell's Gannett Health Services shares the predicament of many health providers in New York state -- unfilled orders and limited shipments of flu vaccine from suppliers.

Last February, Gannett ordered 8,500 doses from two companies but has only received 6,100 vaccine doses. One of the suppliers, Chiron Corp., notified Gannett on Nov. 14 that it would not be able to fill the remainder of the order.

As long as supplies last, flu shots will be available to Cornell students, faculty and staff attending the College of Veterinary Medicine's Benefair (Dec. 5) and the Geneva Agricultural Research Station's Benefair (Dec. 8).

Gannett is only scheduling flu shots at this time for students at high risk of complications from the flu, including students with diabetes, heart disease, chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease and neuromuscular disease. Also able to receive the vaccine immediately are students undergoing treatment for cancer, receiving daily maintenance asthma medications or immunosuppressive drugs and pregnant students. Many of the scheduled clinics have been cancelled but will be reinstated if more vaccine becomes available.

"We are fortunate that the flu season is off to a slow start this year, with no cases at Gannett, few sporadic cases in upstate New York and little flu activity in most other states so far," said Sharon Dittman, associate director of community relations for Gannett.

Gannett officials are looking into ordering more vaccine from alternate sources. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there could be more vaccine available in the United States in the next month as new supplies are secured.