Park Nicollet overwhelmed by flu shot requests

Park Nicollet Health Services has shut down its flu shot appointment line, due to overwhelming demand for the H1N1 vaccine.

Park Nicollet began offering H1N1 vaccine to patients late last week. But after its appointment phone number was reported in the media, the clinic system was bombarded with 120,000 phone calls that it couldn't answer.

Park Nicollet has now switched to an e-mail based appointment system that can be accessed through its web site.

On the site, the health provider warns it may take several days to respond to appointment requests.

Appointments can only be made for pregnant women, young children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years, kids 5 years through 18 years with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems and first responders such as fire, police and EMS workers.