BLOOMINGTON - Roll up your sleeves and show some skin. It's time for your flu shot. In past years, health professionals generally recommended that only people at higher risk for influenza get a shot, but they agree that anyone age 6 months and older who wants one should get one.

The difference is a national flu vaccine supply of 130 million doses.

"The supply is very robust," said Bob Keller, director of the McLean County Health Department. "No one (in the county) has told us of any delays in shipment."

"All of our practices have an ample supply of vaccine this year," said Eric Alvin of BroMenn Healthcare, Normal.

The health department has made its vaccine supply available to people age 50 and older or those with a chronic disease, not just to people age 60 and older or with a chronic disease as in past years. But Keller urged people who want flu shots to call their doctor's offices or pharmacies to find out when they can get vaccinated.

Urgent-care physicians agreed.

"To me, even if I was not in health care, I would get it (a flu shot)," said Dr. Marlito Favila of HealthPoint, Normal.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children ages 6 months to 5 years old, people age 50 and older, and people with chronic health conditions get vaccinated. But federal and Central Illinois health professionals are saying that vaccine is available for anyone age 6 months and older who wants it.

A flu shot doesn't guarantee that you won't get sick this winter, Favila said. But it does reduce your risk.

If you are a healthy adult and don't want to get a flu shot for yourself, get it for those around you, said Keller and Dr. Lamont Tyler, medical director for OSF PromptCare in Bloomington and Normal.

Your children, your parents and some co-workers and friends may be at higher risk for influenza, Tyler and Keller said. You may be able to fight off the disease but may pass it on to them, and it could make them seriously ill.

Flu shot clinics are starting, and the timing is good because flu season has not yet started. Tyler, Favila and Theresa Lage of Carle Clinic in Bloomington said they have had no diagnosed cases of influenza.

Tyler has treated upper respiratory illnesses and gastroenteritis and said the weather change has prompted a common inflammation called rhinitis that has led to sinus and ear infections in some patients. Favila has seen patients with viral infections and ragweed allergies.

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Flu fighters

Here's how to fight flu this fall and winter:

Get a flu shot.

Don't spread germs. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with warm, soapy water; cough and sneeze into your sleeve; clean countertops, desks, computer keyboards and doorknobs with an alcohol-based sanitizer; stay home if you're sick.

Take care of yourself. Stay hydrated, eat healthy foods, take 500 milligrams of vitamin C each day, exercise, get enough sleep.

See your doctor. If you begin to experience influenza symptoms - high fever and severe muscle aches with cough and sore throat - see your doctor. If influenza is caught within 48 hours, your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu for you and your family. Tamiflu may reduce the severity and duration of the illness.

SOURCES: Dr. Lamont Tyler, Bob Keller, Dr. Marlito Favila

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Flu vaccine warning

Those with the following symptoms or conditions should not attend the clinic: fever or feel ill; allergic to eggs or thimerosal; severe reaction to previous flu vaccines; previous attacks of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Lou Gehrig's disease or other recurring or persistent neurological problem except multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease; pregnancy or probable pregnancy.

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Flu clinics

Following is a list of influenza vaccination clinics in the area:

McLean County

The health department has made its vaccine supply available to people age 50 and older or those with a chronic disease.

The cost is $35. OSF Healthcare plans and Medicare cards are accepted but you must have your card with you or pay the fee. No other private insurance plans are accepted.

Call (309) 888-5397 for an appointment; no walk-ins will be taken.

Clinics are set for the following dates:

- Oct. 16, Sale Barn, Bloomington

- Oct. 23, Miller Park Pavilion, Bloomington

- Oct. 25 Danvers Fire Protection Community Building, Danvers

- Oct. 26, Gridley Community Building, Gridley

- Oct. 30, Normal Township Senior Program Community Center Normal

- Oct. 31, Tremont Savings Bank, Stanford

- Nov. 1, Heyworth Christian Church, Heyworth

- Nov. 5, LeRoy Water Tower Place, LeRoy

- Nov. 8, Calvary United Methodist Church, Normal

- Nov. 13, Miller Park Pavilion, Bloomington

- Nov. 14, Saybrook-Cheney Grove Township Hall, Saybrook

- Nov. 15, Chenoa St. Paul's Evangelical Church, Chenoa, and Lexington Community Center, Lexington

Livingston County

Vaccines will be given as long as supplies last. Call the Livingston County Health Department for eligibility requirements.

The cost is $24 for flu vaccine and $32 for pneumonia. They are free if you have a Medicare Part B, OSF Care Advantage or Health Alliance card. Flu vaccines are free for state employees with ID.

Call (815) 844-7174 for information.

Clinics are set for the following dates:

- 2 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Pontiac Towers, Pontiac

- 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 22, Graymont Bank

- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Flanagan Community Building

- 1:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 22, Long Point American Legion

- 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Oct. 24, Cornell

- 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 24, Reading Township Hall

- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25, Livingston County Health Department, Pontiac

- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26, Livingston County Health Department, Pontiac

- 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 31, Odell Bank

- 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 31, Dwight Village Hall

- 8 to 9 a.m. Oct. 31, Saunemin Community Building

- 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Oct. 31, Chatsworth Community Building

- 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oct. 31, Forrest Library

- 1:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 31, Fairbury Lutheran Church

- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2, Livingston County Health Department, Pontiac

- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9, Livingston County Health Department, Pontiac.

- 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14, Livingston County Health Department, Pontiac

- 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Livingston County Health Department, Pontiac

- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday after Nov. 21, Livingston County Health Department, Pontiac.

Tazewell County

The cost for county residents is $30 for flu shots and $40 for pneumonia shots. Add $10 each for out-of-county residents. Medicare will be billed for Par B coverage, but a Medicare card must be presented.

Call (309) 477-2223, Ext. 264 for information.

Clinics are set for the following dates:

- 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 23, Moose Lodge 916, Pekin

- 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 30, Tazewell County Health Department, rural Tremont

- 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 1, Eastside Bible Church, Morton

- 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 2, Tazewell County Health Department, rural Tremont

- 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 5, Fondulac Park District, East Peoria

- 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 6, Crossroads United Methodist Church, Washington

- 10 a.m. to noon, Nov. 7, Pekin Township Building, Pekin