~ The state has reported only two cases of the flu in the last two weeks, but the flu season likely won't be in full swing until December.
Only two cases of the flu have been reported in the last two weeks to Missouri's Department of Health, and those cases were not in Cape Girardeau County.
Peak flu season is expected to hit the area in late December and early January, if this season is anything like last year's, said Jane Wernsman, assistant director at Cape Gir-ardeau County Health Department.
"There could be flu coming to the area at the end of this month, but we'll just have to wait and see," Wernsman said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer cases of the flu have been reported in the country as compared to last year. At least 71 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed in the country and by the end of November, more than 81 million doses will have been distributed.
The lower flu rates are good news for the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, especially considering the agency still has no flu shots for the general public. The health department has administered approximately 2,300 shots to medical personnel and the high risk population since Oct. 12.
But while no shots are available at the public heath department, several medical clinics in the area have supplies.
"We do get a bunch of calls from people asking for flu shots, but we're currently out of them," Wernsman said. "We'll get calls saying that we will be getting 100 doses here and there, but we don't know an exact date of when we will get them next. It's sporadic when they come, people just need to call and ask if we have them."
At Prompt Care in Jackson, a shipment of 500 flu shots was recently delivered to the walk-in medical clinic, and are still available to the general public.
"No appointment is necessary, people can just walk-in and get them," said Tara Dry, Prompt Care medical secretary. "This is probably our third shipment of them. We got 1000 of them for our first shipment, and we ran out within a week. People are still calling and asking for them."
Wernsman said the health department is trying to vaccinate its target population, which are emergency medical service providers and first responders.
Currently available at the health department is an alternative to the flu shot, a flu mist. It's administered through the nose and is given only to individuals from the ages of 5 to 49. The individuals have to be healthy and can't be pregnant.
"We've given out quite a few of the flu mist vaccinations," Wernsman said. "They seem to be working just fine and we do have plenty of them, so that's always an option for people."
Cape Family Practice at 36 Doctor's Park is expecting a shipment of 20 flu shots by next Thursday and 60 more the following week, said Crystal Dillingham, front office supervisor.
"We've gotten two shipments but we were out as soon as we got them," she said.
For individuals who haven't been vaccinated with a flu shot, Wernsman said there are other ways people can prevent catching the flu.
"Always have good hygiene habits, wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough and then wash your hands again," she said. "If you are sick, stay home."
jfreeze@semissourian.com
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