By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

After a delay of more than two months, Hays Medical Center has received enough vaccine to reschedule its drive-through flu shot event.

Seasonal flu vaccines will be distributed to the public at no cost from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 13, at the hospital's Center for Health Improvement.

"We have received them and are able to schedule the date and have things work out, so we're very happy about that," Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ken Lindsey said. "It was kind of an unknown for us."

Doses are arriving later this year because pharmaceutical companies ramped up production of H1N1 vaccine, slowing distribution of the seasonal flu vaccine.

Hays Med originally intended to host its annual event Sept. 27.

As of Friday, the hospital had received about 2,000 doses. Lindsey said it's possible the hospital will receive up to 3,000 more before the event.

"We still think we're going to be OK," Lindsey said. "But there is a chance that we're going to get lean at the end."

About 3,500 doses were administered last year, and it originally had been hoped that number would increase by 500.

Children will receive their injections inside the Center for Health Improvement. Adults can stay in their cars, and should go to the hospital's north entrance, where they will receive directions. Participants are asked to wear short-sleeved shirts.

Hospital clinics have been vaccinating "high risk" individuals as doses became available.

The number of flu cases often peaks in January, so the vaccine will be distributed in time to be effective, despite the delay, Lindsey said.

"It's actually perfect timing," he said.