With the holidays fast approaching, one of the best gifts you can give is the gift of health. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is reminding the public it is not too late to get an influenza (flu) shot.

Oklahoma's flu season generally runs from October through May and prevention by vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and protect your family and others.

The Cleveland County Health Department has flu vaccine still available for children ages 6 months to 18 years of age, but no longer has flu vaccine for adults. Flu mist is available for children 2 to 18 years of age.

New this year is a recommendation from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that children 6 months through 18 years of age should get the flu vaccine to protect themselves as well as those vulnerable persons around them who may be at risk for complications from influenza.

"Take time to get your flu shot and remind or schedule other family members to get their flu shots," said OSDH Immunization Service Chief Don Blose. "Flu shots are available at most doctors' offices, pharmacies, through the Visiting Nurses Association, and at local county health departments, while supplies last.

"Many people travel around the country and visit relatives during the holiday season, which often increases transmission of influenza. While no cases of flu have yet been confirmed in the state, some states around Oklahoma have reported activity," Blose said.

Each year about 60 million Americans get the flu, resulting in about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations. This year's flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. It contains three new influenza virus strains: A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus; A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus; and B/Florida/4/2006-like virus. The protection by the flu vaccine should last about a year.

In addition to getting a flu vaccination, persons 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions should ask their doctor if they should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, which is a common and potentially serious complication of the flu. Unlike the influenza vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given every year. This vaccine is available at physicians' offices and county health departments.

For more information, contact your doctor's office or the Cleveland County Health Department Norman office at 321-4048 or the Moore office at 794-1591.