WellCheck has begun turning away people who planned to receive vaccinations in the Katy area. The clinics scheduled for the Katy area have been cancelled due to a national shortage of seasonal flu vaccinations, the organization announced in a news release Wednesday.

The flu defense clinics, being held at Katy Mills mall , were scheduled each weekend through Nov. 1.

WellCheck apologized for any inconvenience to prospective patrons emphasizing that this is a national issue that is affecting many health care providers who are offering flu vaccinations.

“We realize that the vaccination shortage is not just a WellCheck issue, but it is a national issue,” said Jack Tawil, CEO of WellCheck Medical Centers. “The World Health Organization says that this is the first global flu pandemic in 40 years, and as a response, there has been a large demand for flu vaccinations this year.”

WellCheck anticipates re-opening clinics at participating Simon-owned malls based upon the availability of the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccinations. Check the company’s Web site for updates at www.wellcheck.com.

WellCheck partnered with Mollen Immunization Clinics - one of the nation's largest flu vaccination providers - to bring the 2009 Flu Defense Clinics to fruition. Mollen cancelled WellCheck clinics, in addition to many other clinics run by other providers and pharmacies.

The company operated Flu Defense Clinics at 112 malls across the nation owned by Simon Property Group on Oct. 3, 4, 10, and 11, offering vaccinations for seasonal flu and pneumonia.

The manufacturers of these vaccines have been under enormous pressure to produce millions of doses of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, according to reports. This has caused the national manufacturers to reduce shipments of or delayed releasing the seasonal flu vaccine. The shortage is being experienced across the state and nation.

Did any of you make it to the mall to have the H1N1 vaccinations? How long do you think the national shortage last?