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(Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) A Shot in the Arm Flu vaccines should be plentiful this time; state's season usually starts in February By Bill kettler Mail Tribune "Age makes no difference," nurse Janet Bernard observed as she took a break from administering flu vaccine to a crowd of mostly retired folks at the Rogue River Community Center. "Some people are still queasy about getting shots." Queasy or not, at least this year anyone who wants a flu shot should be able to get one. After two years of manufacturing problems, vaccine shortages, rationing, and long waiting lines, local and federal public health officials expect more than enough flu vaccine to go around this year. The federal Centers for Disease Control has predicted there will be as much as 100 million doses of vaccine, and three-fourths of it should be delivered to local health care providers by the end of October. "We got our first shipment and sold it back to providers who have high-risk patients," said Jolene Rodriguez, a public health nurse for Jackson County. "We have another shipment coming. It's all coming and there will be more than enough." Some grocery stores and pharmacies started offering vaccine last week . Providence Senior Services provided flu shots in Rogue River and Shady Cove on Tuesday and has scheduled immunization clinics for today in Eagle Point and Thursday in Medford. There are a number of other clinics scheduled this week and other well into November. Advertisement Rodriguez said there's no need to rush out and get immunized against influenza right now, because the peak of flu season usually doesn't occur until in Oregon until February. The vaccination begins building immunity to the influenza virus within two weeks after it's administered, and the immunity lasts for about six months. "If you get it too soon it can wear off" before the flu season ends, which is usually in April, she said. Influenza is often regarded as little more than a nuisance, but health officials estimate it kills about 35,000 Americans every year — almost as many deaths as those caused by automobile accidents. Best estimates are that up to 200,000 people are hospitalized every year with influenza. Health officials recommend the vaccine for children aged 6""59 months of age, pregnant women, people age 50 and older, anyone with chronic medical conditions that weaken their immune system, and people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The vaccines are grown on chicken eggs, so anyone who is allergic to eggs should avoid them. Others who should avoid the vaccine include those who have had an adverse reaction to the vaccine previously, people who have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of getting influenza vaccine previously, and children younger than six months of age. Scientists make new vaccines every year to combat the strains of influenza virus that seem most likely to be active during the coming winter. Virus strains are identified by a place name where they were first identified and a letter-and-number code that describes the basic virus type. This winter's vaccine includes A/New Caledonia (H1N1)-like, A/Wisconsin (H3N2)-like, and B/Malaysia-like antigens. Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492 or e-mail: [email protected] Flu shots are available this year at a variety of grocery stores, pharmacies and clinics. Immunization is available this week at these sites: Today Medford, Safeway, 3169 Crater Lake Ave., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eagle Point, Eagle Point Senior Center, 121 Loto St., 10 a.m. to noon. Thursday Medford Senior Center, 510 E. Main St. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Medford, GN-West Main Pharmacy, 2355 Jacksonville Highway, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Medford, Costco, 3639 Crater Lake Highway, 3-to 7 p.m. Grants Pass, Safeway, 1640 Williams Highway, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Costco, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Tark's Market, 215 E. Wagner Ave., noon to 6 p.m. Each site sets its own prices and has its own billing procedures. Seniors should always bring their Medicare cards. Others should bring their insurance cards. Flu shots will be given at other sites into November. Many of them will be listed on Internet sites, which can be located by typing the phrase "flu clinic locator" into a search engine. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. 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