In terms of the number of available vaccinations, the upcoming flu season is expected to go more smoothly than years past.
"There is an ample supply (of the vaccine) in this area," said Guillermo Cole, spokesman for the Allegheny County Health Department.
Guillermo said more than 100 million doses were distributed nationwide, compared to 80 million one year ago.
"There's enough for everyone who wants a flu shot," Cole said.
While several local clinics and physicians have already started issuing flu shots, a number of health centers, including Med-Fast Pharmacy and the Allegheny County Health Department, will begin offering the vaccine this week.
Gino Cordisco, spokesman for Med-Fast Pharmacy, said each location received 240 doses of the vaccine, which will be available at various times and locations beginning today.
Most clinics charge between $15 and $25 for the vaccination and will accept a variety of insurance plans.
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Take Care Health Systems, which recently opened a health clinic in the Rochester Eckerd drug store, starting distributing the shots Saturday. Their Web site advises people to get the vaccination in October or November, before the flu season peaks. It takes about two weeks for the vaccination to take effect.
And if you're thinking this winter's mild temperatures will protect you from getting the flu, think again.
There is no correlation between the flu and the weather, Cole said. "All I can say is we know we'll have influenza."
The health department said this year's vaccine will protect against three strains of the virus, including New Caledonia, Wisconsin and Malaysia. They also estimate that between 5 and 20 percent of the nation's population gets the flu virus every year, more than 200,000 are hospitalized and nearly 36,000 people die from complications.
Those who should be vaccinated:
People 65 and older.
People living in nursing homes.
Adults and children older than 6 months with chronic heart or lung conditions and who need regular medical care.
People between the ages of 50 and 64.
Pregnant women.
Health care personnel.
Those who should not be vaccinated:
People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
Children less than 6 months old.
People with an illness or fever should wait until their symptoms improve.
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# posted by Network @ 1:00 PM
