Flu vaccine is now available from Department of Health centres at $10 per shot, The Department of Health has announced.

Written permission from a doctor must be obtained for vaccine for children under two and people with chronic illnesses.

The vaccine is available at:

Hamilton Health Centre: Mondays through Fridays 8.30-11.30 a.m.

St. George?s Health Centre: Mondays 9-11 a.m.

Somerset Health Centre: Wednesdays 9-11 a.m.

Flu vaccine is also now available from most private physicians.

Senior Medical Officer Brenda Davidson explained that influenza is a highly contagious viral infection spread person to person via coughs and sneezes from an infected individual.

For most people it is not generally a serious condition but may be unpleasant and debilitating. For some however, flu can be quite dangerous because it may increase their risk of developing serious complications such as pneumonia.

In the USA, 20,000 to 30,000 mostly elderly people die each year from complications of flu. In Bermuda the peak time for contacting flu is January.

The US is facing a shortage of the vaccine after a British factory?s output was barred from use. But Bermuda has its full complement of the vaccine.

In January and February of this year, more than 500 cases of flu were reported to the Department of Health and more probably went unreported.

Symptoms of flu develop two to four days after exposure and may remain mild. However, serious attacks may cause sore throat, and runny nose with high fever, headache, muscle pains fatigue and general malaise.

Most people recover after a few days and only require extra fluids, bed rest and aspirin or acetaminophen. Aspirin is not indicated for children with flu-like symptoms.

If cough, fever, or illness persist beyond a few days, or if the patient is elderly of frail, a physician should be consulted in case antibiotics or other medication is required.

Flu vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing flu.

Side effects are rare and usually mild. The chance of contacting infection can also be reduced by frequent hand washing practices and avoiding crowded places.

Vaccine is recommended for people most at risk of complications of flu.

These are:

Elderly people over the age of 65.

People of any age who require regular medical care for chronic health problems such as heart or lung conditions, asthma, kidney disease, sickle cell anaemia, immune system diseases etc.; and

People in Rest Homes.

Other people for whom flu vaccine is recommended are:

Essential public service workers (teachers, Police, Prison officers, Customs officers etc.)

Health care providers and close contacts of family members with chronic health problems; and

Travellers.