Oct. 6--There is plenty of flu vaccine to go around, and it should protect against the strains expected, health leaders say.
"There are multiple suppliers of the vaccine now," Dr. Louis Schenfeld of Johnstown said.
"There is no trouble getting it."
Manufacturers expect to have 146 million flu shots available in the United States, up from last year's record 132 million doses, Health Department spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman said.
Although almost everyone can benefit from a flu shot, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies several high-risk groups who should make it a priority.
Groups include all children 6 months and older, pregnant women, everyone age 50 and older, those who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, and health-care workers or anyone who lives with, or works closely with, people in these other groups.
This year's vaccine will protect against three strains of flu left out of last year's flu shots, including two that sickened many people last year, Kriedeman said. The 17,826 lab-confirmed flu cases in Pennsylvania were the highest since the state began requiring reports in 2002, she said.
"The vaccine not being a match was part of the problem, but not the whole picture," she said.
Even if this year's vaccine misses a strain with a significant presence, a flu shot probably will help reduce the symptoms, she said.
"The flu shot is the easiest way to protect yourself," she said. "Even if the flu virus that's circulating is not an exact match, the vaccine still offers some protection."
Somerset Hospital is promoting flu shots for its employees, spokesman Greg Chiappelli said.
"In health care, it's important that we protect our employees," Chiappelli said.
"They are in close contact with patients who might be more susceptible to serious complications."
That could apply to almost everyone, Kriedeman said.
"You are not only protecting yourself, you are protecting your family and the ones you love," Kriedeman said.
Healthy adults usually can fight off influenza, she said, but they should think about young children at home or elderly family members they contact.
"At the end of the day, flu can be deadly," Kriedeman said.
Here are some flu clinics scheduled around the area.
Tuesday -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., East Hills Recreation, Richland.
Wednesday -- noon to 4 p.m., ProCare Health and Fitness, Alum Bank.
Thursday -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Giant Eagle, Northern Cambria
Thursday -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Giant Eagle, 1606 N. Center Ave., Somerset
Thursday -- 5 to 8 p.m., Giant Eagle, 4192 Glades Pike, Somerset
Thursday -- 3 to 7 p.m., ShapeShifters Fitness, 162 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg.
Oct. 13 -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Greater Johnstown YMCA 100 Haynes St.
Oct. 14 -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Giant Eagle, 344 Goucher St.
Oct. 14 -- 5 to 8 p.m., Giant Eagle. 1233 Broad St.
Oct. 16 -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Club Family Fitness Center. 105 E. 1st St., Somerset.
Oct. 16 -- 5 to 8 p.m., Giant Eagle, 1241 Scalp Ave.
Oct 22 -- 2 to 6 p.m., Rite Aid, 407 Central Ave.
Oct 22 -- 2 to 6 p.m., Rite Aid, 1501 Scalp Ave.
Oct 22 -- 2 to 6 p.m., Rite Aid, 2470 Bedford St.
Oct 22 -- 2 to 6 p.m., Rite Aid, Nanty Glo.
Oct 23 -- 2 to 6 p.m., Rite Aid, 1759 Goucher St.
Oct 23 -- 2 to 6 p.m., Rite Aid, Cresson.
Nationally, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die.
Flu shot clinics are scheduled at various locations through December, but the Health Department suggests most people get their vaccine from their primary care doctor.
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