staff writer

ALTUS--Flu season is just around the corner and some people are wondering whether there will be a vaccination readily available for the needs of Oklahoma residents.

According to John Thur, Administrator of the Jackson County Health Department, the outlook looks good for this season. He says that at this time there are no concerns for an outbreak of the flu and the health department will be stocked with the flu vaccine to give to those in need.

"Looks like the supply will be good," Thur said. "We will have as many as we had last year."

Last year, there some flu vaccines left over. The health department receives their supply through state contracts of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This year, OSDH ordered from a different supplier and should receive there supply sometime this month.

The JCHD will start giving the vaccination October 17 to people that meet the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Starting October 24, the vaccination will be open to the general public. The JCHD will set up flu clinics to administer the vaccination, those flu clinics depend on the number of the personnel available to give the shot. Thur says that waiting to get the shot helps the effects last during the flu season which he considers November, December and January.

"It's better to put off getting the vaccination for a few days or even a few weeks," Thur said. "The best time would be in November. The longer we wait, the longer it carries over. The antibodies last longer."

According to Thur, the flu shot lasts for six months. The JCHD will give the flu shot to those in need free of charge. The elderly and people with chronic health conditions are Parents are encourage to get their children immunized this year.

"There is a big push to have children immunized," Thur said.

The Jackson County Health Department has not received any information that there should be an elevated concern for flu outbreaks this year.

"There is not an increase concern at the present time," Thur said. "That does not mean that it will not change later on."