Please contact your private physician or your local health department to learn how you can receive this important vaccination.

Due to the shortage of influenza vaccine this year, it is particularly important for individuals to protect themselves and others from the flu and its complications. There are several ways to do this:

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others.

- Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home from school if they are sick.

- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and discard used tissues immediately.

- Clean your hands; wash your hands regularly with warm, soapy water, or use alcohol-based hand cleaner.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

- If you are at high risk of complications from the flu, get the pneumococcal vaccine.