Heavy Demand for Flu Shots

The flu is apparently making an early appearance in area schools. All area schools are reporting flu-like symptoms among their students. It may be the H1N1 swine flue.

Dr. Peter Henry, Crow Wing County Medical Advisor, and Emergency Room Director at St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd says 90% of Minnesota cases at the end of August were H1N1. He says the vaccine for that variety may not become available to the general public until the end of October.

In the meantime, clinics have been running short of the seasonal vaccine. Dr. Henry says that should be a short term problem, that there is plenty of vaccine for everyone.

In the meantime, Dr. Henry says the best practice is frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer, and staying home when ill.