With flu season is approaching, and cases of influenza continuing to be reported in our community, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department announces its seasonal flu shot clinics to begin in early October.

"Getting a seasonal flu shot will be more important than ever this year, because of the continuing spread of H1N1," says immunization coordinator Leslie Davis, RN. "The seasonal flu shot will not protect you against H1N1, but it will protect against other flu viruses expected to circulate in our community this fall - viruses we know cause approximately 36,000 deaths each year."

Seasonal flu shots will be offered at no cost to individuals considered to be at high risk for complications from seasonal flu, including

· senior adults age 65 and older,
· adults and children with chronic health conditions,
· children 6 - 59 months old,
· women who will be pregnant during the 2009-2010 influenza season (October - May), and
· household contacts and caregivers of people in these high risk categories.

Due to a delay in shipping from its seasonal flu vaccine manufacturer, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department has canceled its public seasonal flu shot clinics scheduled for October 5 - 12th. Check back here often for updates as they become available.

"Every year we deal with the uncertainty of when our seasonal flu vaccine will arrive," says director of
health Kevin Gipson. "This year the situation has been exacerbated by an apparent shift in production
focus from seasonal flu vaccine to H1N1 vaccine."

The health department typically orders about 5,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine for children and high
risk adults. This year it may receive less than a third of its order.

"We will provide the vaccine we get to children and adults as it arrives," adds Gipson, "and will continue to
support the efforts of the Springfield Flu Immunization Coalition as they vaccinate high risk adults in our
community."

Seasonal flu vaccine is also typically available through the health care systems and at local pharmacies.


H1N1 vaccine is expected to be shipped in mid- to late October, and the health department will continue
working with its partners to ensure that vaccine is initially available to people in the H1N1 high risk
categories. The department adds they expect to eventually receive enough H1N1 vaccine to offer it to all
Greene County residents.


For more information on protection against all types of flu, visit www.springfieldmo.gov/health