Anchorage Daily News

Alaska is well-stocked on flu vaccine this winter, and thousands of doses are already available for public distribution in local clinics, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services.

More than 87,000 doses-- including about 10,000 doses of a child-friendly nasal mist -- are now being made available around the state, the department reported Wednesday.

The influenza virus can cause high fever, headache and body aches, coughing, a sore throat, a congested nose and extreme fatigue for a week or more.

This year the federal Centers for Disease Control is recommending that all children age 6 months through 18 years receive a vaccination to fight the flu.

State and federal health officials also recommend seasonal flu vaccines for adults 50 years or older, women who are pregnant, residents in nursing homes and people with chronic health problems.

The vaccine provided by the state is available to all Alaskans in shot form, and to healthy children ages 2 through 5 as a nasal mist, marketed as FluMist.

According to the government, FluMist is suitable for healthy persons age 2 through 49 who are not pregnant. However, the state is restricting its supply to young children due to its limited supply.

Flu vaccine is also available through private providers who purchase their own supplies. People should call their own health care providers to determine local availability.

ADVERTISEMENT