State health officials consider October first the start of flu season. And they say Missouri is ready for it with plenty of vaccine. This year’s vaccine is designed to protect us from three kinds of the flu—H1N1, the swine flu that came about in 2009, the B-virus that has been around since 2010, and the H3N2 that was identified last year.
State health director Margaret Donnelly says no population group has priority access to the vaccines. She says the flu season generally beginning in early October and goes through spring. She says people should get their shots as soon as possible. .
The vaccine can be administered through a needle or by inhaling. The nasal spray is recommended for healthy people two-to-49 years old. The needle is recommended for everyone else.
Manufacturers expect to produce about 135-million doses this year. Officials say it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to offer its full protection. The flu season usually peaks in January or February.