Since the supply is so low, only people identified as high-risk should be vaccinated. High–risk individuals include:

healthy children aged 6–23 months,
adults aged 65 years and older,
pregnant women in their second or third trimester,
and persons aged 2 years and older with underlying chronic conditions.

Persons at high risk are encouraged to search locally for the vaccine if their usual health-care provider no longer has vaccine available. You can also try other physicians, hospitals, local health departments and community health centers.

Healthy people between the ages of 5-49 years old may be able to obtain the intranasal vaccine, known as FluMist, from your physician, especially for family members of those at high risk.

It is also important to remember that you can protect yourself and others through good hygiene, including cleaning your hands, and staying at home when symptomatic with fever and respiratory illness. Remember to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

For more information on influenza, see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
To locate a physician who may have the FluMist vaccine, go to http://www.flumist.com/

AVOIDING THE FLU WITHOUT A FLU SHOT

Basic recommendations from the CDC for preventing the spread of flu

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and with people in crowded situations
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Clean you hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Be a bad host

• You are more likely to get the flu if you allow your immune system to become weak
• Build a strong immune system by eating a well balanced diet including plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits
• Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking 1-2 liters of water a day.  Your nasal mucus membranes will stay moist - an important first line of defense - and your entire body will function better
• Exercise moderately and regularly
• Get enough Sleep!
• Avoid stress situations
• Limit intake of sugar, caffeine and alcohol
• A healthy nervous system allows for a healthy immune system

Hot chicken soup couldn't hurt.  Throw in raw garlic!