BLOOMINGTON -- If you want a flu shot and haven't rolled up your sleeve yet, you may want to get that done.

Several health care providers on Wednesday postponed or canceled their seasonal influenza vaccine clinics because increased early demand combined with delays in shipments have resulted in a shortage.

Medical professionals suggested that people check with their doctor's office and pharmacy to find out whether they still have vaccine available.

"We're still offering seasonal flu shots," said Walgreens spokesman Jim Cohn.

Cassie Richardson, communications manager for Jewel-Osco Pharmacy, said "Flu shot demand has been really high. We'll continue to offer our remaining flu shots until our supply is exhausted."

"There was flu vaccine available in the community but it's starting to dry up," said Walt Howe, director of the McLean County Health Department. Howe hopes the health department - which has yet to receive its supply - can have seasonal and H1N1 flu shot clinics in November.

Dr. Paul Pedersen, vice president and chief medical officer at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, said more people have decided to get flu shots this fall. Howe added that manufacturers have been focusing on the H1N1 vaccine, which may have contributed to the seasonal flu vaccine shortage.

While Cohn urged people who want to get a flu shot to get one as soon as possible, Howe and Pedersen don't want Central Illinoisans to worry.

"This shouldn't start a run on vaccine because there will be more vaccine," Pedersen said. As long as people get their flu shot by about mid-November, they should be covered for the flu season, he said.

Meanwhile, people should wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with warm water and soap, cover their coughs and sneezes with their sleeve and stay home when they're sick, Pedersen and Howe said.

OSF Medical Group-College Avenue (formerly Carle Clinic-Bloomington/Normal) was to begin its flu shot clinics Monday but they have been postponed until further notice because suppliers are experiencing shortfalls, said Russ Rodriguez, director of practice operations.

OSF PromptCare has run out of flu vaccine, said OSF spokeswoman Christy McFarland. BroMenn Medical Group has canceled its remaining flu shot clinics at HealthPoint in Normal and at Crossroads Medical Associates in El Paso and Lexington but the Oct. 16 clinic at Town & Country Healthcare in Eureka remains scheduled, said BroMenn spokesman Eric Alvin.