This year’s flu vaccine has already been shipped to many local pharmacies and doctor's offices. On Wednesday, the Monroe County Health Department and Medical Society urged people to take advantage of that vaccine early.

The flu season can start as early as October and usually peaks in January.

There are some new recommendations about who should get vaccinated this year. The Centers for Disease Control wants everyone to be vaccinated. Previously the CDC had only recommended children 6 months up to age 18 be vaccinated and elderly people 65 years and older as well as those with chronic conditions.

Doctors say last year’s H1N1 strain of influenza was especially tragic because it resulted in deaths of seemingly healthy individuals as well as a significant increase in pediatric deaths. Twelve thousand people died from flu related illnesses during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, four people died locally.

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine protects against H1N1 and two other strains of the influenza virus that research suggests will be the most common.

So far there does not appear to be a problem with the supply of flu vaccine this year.

Nancy Adams of the Monroe County Medical Society says there will be about 180 flu clinics offered locally. More information on the clinics is available on the Monroe County Health Department’s website.

Monroe County Health Department

Centers For Disease Control