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Plenty Of Flu Vaccines Still Available

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: December 23, 2008

TAMPA - You might have noticed the rattle in the chest of someone you work next to, or that incessant hacking of the guy in the next cubicle.

Maybe you are starting to feel that scratching tickle in your own throat.

Sniffles, sore throats and sinus congestion are beginning to make their annual invasion of the Sunshine State. February typically is the height of flu season, and although there isn't an epidemic out there, getting a preventive shot now can ward off ailments, health officials say.

"It's a good time to get your flu shot," Hillsborough County Health Department spokesman Steve Huard said Monday. "Especially if you are seeing people sick all around you."

Most of the sickness going around now seems to be the common cold rather than the more serious flu. The department gets reports of flu from hospitals, Huard said, and so far there aren't enough cases of flu to warrant much concern. Still, it's never a bad idea to practice prevention.

"Being that Florida does come into the flu season later than the rest of the nation, now is a really good time to get a flu shot if you haven't done so already," Huard said.

Local health officials recommend flu shots for everyone, especially children and the elderly.

The health department has been inoculating people since October and still has plenty of vaccine, Huard said.

Ruth Wyatte, a supervisor at the department's main immunization clinic, said an average of three to four patients - mostly children - get flu shots each day. She expects more this week because people are being inoculated before going on holiday trips.

"Still," she said, "there are not as many as we'd like."

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION
Getting a flu shot shouldn't be a problem. They typically are available at medical offices, walk-in clinics or at flu shot events at local supermarkets or drugstores.

Hillsborough County Health Department's main immunization clinic is at 4951 B E. Adamo Drive, Suite 210, Tampa; call (813) 307-8077. The cost of a flu shot at the health department is $25.

Here are other health department clinics where flu shots are available:

Sulphur Springs Health Center, 8605 N. Mitchell Ave., Tampa, (813) 307-8054

North Hillsborough Health Center, 9827 N. Sheldon Road, Tampa, (813) 307-8053

University Area Health Center, 13601 N. 22nd St., Tampa, (813) 307-8058

Floyd Kelton Health Center, 4704 B. W. Montgomery Ave., Tampa, (813) 307-8055

Joyce Ely Health Center, 205 14th Ave S.E., Tampa, (813) 307-8056

Plant City Health Center, 302 N. Michigan Ave., Plant City, (813) 307-8057.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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