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Flu Vaccinations Begin Across The Area

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The cooler weather means the flu season is near.

Today, the first clinic of the season opened for people to be vaccinated.

There were people lined up at the Giant Eagle in Bethel Park to take a preemptive strike against the flu.

This year there are new guidelines for who needs the shot and who does not need that shot.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a record amount of flu vaccine is available, that's about 150 million doses.

This year's vaccine is supposed to protect against three different strains of influenza that are expected to circulate.

"The CDC feels they have a much better match this year than last year," said Guillermo Cole of the Allegheny County Health Department. "You may remember last year's vaccine did not match up very well with the predominant strains of influenza virus we were seeing. In fact the vaccine was about 50 percent effective last season."

The CDC is recommending a flu shot to anyone over 50 years of age, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and, something new, all children aged 6 months to 19 years old.

"The reason for the change is because children are much more likely to get the flu than others, about 2 to 3 times more likely to get the flu than adults, and they spread the flu very prolifically," said Cole. "And they feel that by immunizing children, we're much less likely to see flu spread in the general population."

Meanwhile, the Allegheny County Health Department will begin administering flu shots on October 20 and they will continue to give shots as long as vaccine is available throughout the winter.

Click here for a list of Giant Eagle locations and the dates they are providing flu shots.

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