Officials urge public to get flu shots

Despite glimmers of an earlier-than-usual flu season in Montana, local health officials say there is still time to prepare before the brunt of the illness arrives in the Flathead.

Joe Russell, Flathead City-County public health officer, said only a few strains had been seen locally.

“Here’s what we know: We’ve had a couple strain Bs which were picked up here,” he said. “The predominant epidemic strains, if I can exaggerate that word, are A strains. We have had several travel-associated As and a few Bs.”

The two types of A strains the Center for Disease Control is expecting this year are the Influenza A (H1N1) and Influenza A (H3N2) viruses, along with the Bs.

Montana generally gets into influenza season later in the year than southern states, but early reports in Yellowstone, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Beaverhead and Broadwater counties prompted a response from the Montana Department of Health and Human Services recommending getting flu shots.

“We are still in the window to get vaccinated,” Russell said. “It is really early, and unless things change geographically, Montana will remain a later-season state.”

Last flu season saw 608 hospitalizations and 24 deaths related to influenza in Montana, according to state records.

Each year the flu vaccine is reviewed and updated to protect against the most likely dominant strains that season.

The Flathead City-County Health Department will host its annual flu clinic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

“Get the flu shot now,” Russell said. “The season is starting in other places and it could take about two weeks to kick in. Now is a good time to get one.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.