With a significant outbreak of influenza already this season, health officials are hoping people continue to heed warnings and get their vaccine. “We want to get the information out there that it’s not too late to get a flu shot,” says Sherburne County Public Health Supervisor Kathy Landwehr. Many people took the advice of health officials and got vaccinated months ago, and it paid off because the flu season started earlier this time. “The first case was identified in October,” says Landwehr. “We typically don’t see our first case until Thanksgiving.” The flu usually peaks in eight to 10 weeks. But with all the recent outbreaks across the country, health officials aren’t sure if this may be a longer flu season than normal. Landwehr says the hardest hit group has been senior citizens. “We’re starting to see some outbreaks in some long-term care facilities,” she says. “The department of health and local public health are staying in communication with the group facilities and cancelling things like group activities.” In a wing or a unit that has some influenza activity, visitors are required to check in at the desk. People are being told not to visit at all if they are sick. Since the start of the influenza season, 1,842 persons in Minnesota have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Since the start of the influenza season, 60 influenza-related deaths have been confirmed. Landwehr says St. Cloud Hospital is not only seeing an increase in numbers but an increase in the severity of those coming in. “The good news is the strain of flu we’re seeing is compatible with the three types contained in the vaccine,” says Landwehr. The Sherburne County Public Health Dept. has been in contact with clinics in the area to make sure there is an adequate supply of vaccine. “Of the clinics we have heard back from, they do have enough vaccine, so we’re encouraging people to go in and get their flu shot,” says Landwehr. The county no longer has a regular clinic for administering vaccines to the general public. But the county has a Vaccinations For Adults program for the uninsured and under-insured at the Government Center. Public Health Nurse Kristen Sanders says the program covers not only the flu vaccine, but tetanus/diphtheria, hepatitis A & B, measles, meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines. And eligible children can get their flu vaccines through Kids Klinic. For information for adults and children’s vaccinations, call Sherburne County HHS at 763-765-4000. For the general public looking for a place to get their flu shot, Sanders says county public health is referring people to local medical clinincs, pharmacies and the “Find a Flu Shot” link on the Minnesota Dept. of Health (MDH) website. “People can put in their zip code and how many miles they’re willing to drive and it will give a list of who’s having clinics and when,” she says. The link also tells which population each site serves, since some locations do not give vaccinations to children or the elderly. Sanders says people can get a flu shot at most clinics, even if it is not their regular clinic. “They don’t have to be clients. Most insurances that cover preventive care will cover the cost of the flu vaccine,” she says. “And even if your clinic is out of vaccine, check back. They may out one day but could have a supply the next day.” MDH says the current vaccine is about 60 percent effective. It takes about two weeks for the body to synthesize the vaccine. So Landwehr recommends that everyone over six month of age get vaccinated as soon as possible. “It’s not perfect. But it’s certainly a mechanism we have to prevent the illness, or prevent the severity of symptoms,” she says. “It’s not too late to get your flu shot.” To find a flu shot in your area, check the link on the MDH website www.health.state.mn.us