The Island County Public Health Department will hold a special flu immunization clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Langley.

Health department officials do not anticipate a flu vaccine shortage this year, and the department will be offering flu vaccine to all who wish to have one.

The fee for flu shots this year is $30, and the department will only bill Medicaid, Medicare and Group Health Medicare program recipients.

Flu vaccine shots will also be available from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Linds Freeland Pharmacy; from 9:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 27, at Linds Langley Drug, and from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Linds Coupeville Pharmacy. The cost is $28.50 fee; Medicare accepted, (no Group Health.) For more information, call 331-4763 (ask for Myrna or Sheila).

State Department of Health officials expect that there will be more flu vaccine available in the state than ever before. Some vaccine shipments have already arrived, and Washington expects to receive several more shipments in the coming weeks.

The department has ordered more than 266,000 doses, 27 percent more than was used last year. Preservative-free vaccine for children under 3 will be some of the last vaccine to arrive.

The agency expects to receive some this month and a full order by mid- November.

“There is always some uncertainty about influenza vaccine supplies and distribution. We hope people won’t let that stop them from getting vaccinated.” said Mary Selecky, Secretary of Health for Washington state.

“It is especially important for parents to make sure that their children are immunized as soon as the flu vaccine is available. People might need to be patient and persistent, but there should be plenty of vaccine this year for everyone who wants it,” she said.

Flu activity in Washington generally peaks in February or March, and health officials say a flu shot can be beneficial even if you get it in November, December or even later.

For many people, an annual influenza vaccination is critical. Influenza can strike anyone and is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly, who are at greater risk for complications from the flu.

At best, catching the flu may result in coughing, a fever, and a few days lost from work or school. At its worst, flu can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death.

Every year an average of 36,000 people in the United States die from flu-related illness and 200,000 people are hospitalized.

Those at high risk for complications from the flu include anyone over 50; children 6 months to 59 months of age; and children and adults with chronic medical conditions. Also at high risk are pregnant women and residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities. People living with or caring for a high-risk person, including health-care providers, should also be vaccinated.

Babies from birth to 6 months of age have an extremely high rate of complications from flu.

It is especially important that anyone who lives with or is a caregiver for children in this age group be vaccinated, because these children are too young to be vaccinated.