Illinois health officials are reporting an increase in flu activity, which is typical in January and February. The increase has officials reminding people it's still not too late to get a flu shot.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon Arnold encourages everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated.
Gail O'Neill, assistant director of the Sangamon County Health Department, said there is plenty of flu vaccine available at the health department, pharmacies and doctor's offices in the area.
Children and the elderly are among those who should definitely get the shot.
"Children need to be vaccinated, and those that haven't been are at the highest risk," O'Neill said. "Children having their first flu shot will also need more than one."
In addition to the shot, it's important to keep your environment clean.
"Remember to wash your hands with soap and water," she said.
Surfaces in the home, such as the bathroom, or office should be cleaned with paper towels to stop the spread of infection, she added.
The flu season can be long.
"The flu season some years can last all the way to June, so it is never too late to get the flu shot," she said.
Hours of flu shot clinics
Walk-in flu shot clinics at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, 2833 South Grand Ave. E., are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The cost is $32. Those who present a Medicare or Medicaid card will not be charged.
For more information go to www.scdph.org.
People at high risk for developing flu-related complications
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Online:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm
Illinois Department of Public Health: Flu activity
http://www.idph.state.il.us/flu/fluupdate10-11.htm
Flu.gov
Google flu trends
http://www.google.org/flutrends/
National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/flu.html
File Photo: T.J. Salsman/The State Journal-Register -- Flu shots available at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health's new facility, 2833 South Grand Ave.
