‘None left.’ Some Charlotte pharmacies low on Tamiflu as NC flu cases surge
With flu cases currently surging in North Carolina, supply of over-the-counter treatments are in short supply at some Charlotte pharmacies.
The latest North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data revealed that cases of the flu throughout the state have increased by more than 1,800% over the past month.
Early October saw as few as 148 positive cases of influenza. It was a stark contrast to November numbers which currently show more than 2,920 cases.
“In North Carolina, flu infections are most common from late fall to early spring with activity usually peaking in January or February. However, we are experiencing increased levels of influenza this year compared to the same time in recent previous years,” DHHS said in a statement to the Observer.
Flu cases up, Tamiflu in short supply
As a result, Tamiflu, a familiar medicine used to fight off influenza, is in short supply across the nation, including in Charlotte.
The Walgreens located at 4701 South Blvd. sold the last of its Tamiflu supply on Wednesday. Other stores, like the CVS located at 1533 South Blvd., have been sold out of medicine for up to two weeks.
A pharmacist at the Woodlawn CVS told The Charlotte Observer that orders for more Tamiflu have been placed with no word on when a shipment will arrive at the location.
“We’re all out. We’ve been ordering it since last week but it hasn’t been coming in,” the pharmacist said. “There’s none left.”
According to the DHHS, the spike in North Carolina is similar to trends observed throughout the country. The agency says hospitals around the state are experiencing “strain,” but did not disclose on how many flu-related hospitalizations have been reported.
Within the last month, 12 adult deaths and one pediatric death have been reported in connection to influenza, according to the DHHS. Eight of the adult deaths were in patients over 65 and four were patients aged 50 to 64. The one pediatric death was a child in the 5 to 17 age group.
NC among national leaders in influenza rates
Data from the DHHS also shows that the percentage of emergency department visits related to influenza-like illness is up more than 6.3% this year. Historically, that figure usually lands around 1% or 1.5%, according to the DHHS.
Data published by the Centers for Disease Control shows cases of flu have surged to near-record levels in the Carolinas, with North Carolina being among the leader in cases.
The CDC’s map shows that North Carolina joins surrounding states Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia experiencing the highest rates of influenza-like illness on the agency’s scale.
To help combat the spike in cases, the North Carolina DHHS is urging residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
“Those at high risk for serious flu complications include older people, young children, people with certain health conditions or compromised immune systems,” the agency stated. “The best defense against serious illness from flu is the annual vaccine, available for everyone six months and older.”
According to the agency, vaccines can reduce the risk of death by nearly half in pediatric subjects with high-risk conditions. For healthy children, that risk is reduced by nearly two-thirds.
Symptoms are also made much milder for those who are vaccinated against the illness, DHHS said.
Influenza vaccinations can be administered at hospitals and pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. Private medical offices, some health care centers and local health departments are also vaccine providers.
This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
