Three thousand doses of the flu vaccine are now on the Island, the Health Department announced yesterday.

The department is recommending the vaccine to people who are frail, elderly or with chronic heart or lung disease, diabetics and health care providers.

While not serious for most people complications such as pneumonia can develop in certain cases.

In the US about 20,0000 mostly elderly people die annually due to flu complications.

Flu shots will be administered for $10 at the Hamilton Health Clinic on Victoria Street from 8.30 a.m. to noon Mondays to Fridays and between 1.45 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.

One Saturday morning vaccine session will be held December 15 between 8.30 a.m. and noon.

The vaccine is considered to be safe with very few side effects and it starts to provide protection in about 14 days, according to the Department of Health.

It is 80 percent effective in preventing the three most common strains of flu virus.