With two strains of flu circulating this year, experts are advising everyone to be immunized for both. Immunizations will be made available this month for seasonal flu, and dispensers are being asked by the Centers for Disease Control to get the vaccine to the public as soon as they have it this year. For the other strain, swine flu or H1N1 flu, the first immunizations are expected to be rolled out across the country October 10, but the date they will be locally available is still in question. People at highest risk for the illness, including pregnant women and younger people, will get the vaccine first.

There have been no cases of swine flu in Mackinac County, and no current cases in Chippewa County, where two people diagnosed with it in May quickly recovered.

Swine flu and seasonal flu must be treated with separate vaccinations, said Brian Schoenborn, the health officer of the Luce-Mackinac-Alger- Schoolcraft (LMAS) District Health Department. Getting a swine flu vaccination will not protect against seasonal flu, and vice versa.

Coughing, sneezing, body aches, and fevers are the most common symptoms in both flu strains, although people may react to the sickness in different ways, he cautions.

Mr. Schoenborn urges everyone to get a swine flu vaccination when they are available, but notes that this illness has not proven to be more dangerous than the standard seasonal flu. The heavy focus by health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are mainly precautionary measures.

"It's nothing to be taken lightly, but it's not showing to be very dangerous," he said.

An unusual aspect of H1N1 is that it is more likely to infect people under the age of 64, according to CDC, apparently because about one-third of people more than 60 years old may have antibodies against the the H1N1 virus.

Creating a vaccine takes time, Mr. Schoenborn said, as it is not simply a matter of isolating the virus and destroying it. In-depth clinical trials must be conducted to ensure that the vaccine will destroy the virus, but not attack it in such a way that will cause it to mutate. If vaccines are blindly made, he said, some people may feel better but pass on a stronger, mutated version to another person. The trials are the main reason why vaccines do not reach hospitals and health care providers in large quantities, he explained.

The vaccines will be administered according to a priority system. Pregnant women will be the first to receive the vaccine, as they are at the highest risk of developing complications from illnesses. Caregivers of children younger than six months will be second on the list, as they can pass the sickness on to the child. Healthcare and emergency medical service staff are next. Everyone six months to 24 years old will be fourth in line, while people 25 years and older will be the last.

The priority list is a federal mandate, Mr. Schoenborn said, and any vaccine provider will face serious punishments if it is not followed.

Prevalence in Mackinac County

No cases of Swine Flu have been reported in Mackinac County. Kathleen Lancour, a registered nurse in infection control at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace, says no cases of swine flu have been seen at the hospital.

Two instances of H1N1 were reported in Chippewa County in May. Both individuals received treatment and made a full recovery. No other cases have been detected in Chippewa County since, said David Martin, health officer of Chippewa County Health Department

At Sault Tribe Health Services, staff have seen an increase of flu-like symptoms, said Joel Lumsden, emergency preparedness manager, but no cases of H1N1.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Coming Soon

Most seasonal flu vaccines will be available early October.

Sault Tribe Health Services will offer flu shots at the Mackinac Island Medical Center Thursday, October 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and other federally recognized tribal members can receive the vaccine free, while spouses and employees will be charged $10.

A flu shot drive-through clinic will beat the Sault Ste. Marie Municipal Airport Tuesday, October 6, from noon to 6 p.m. People can receive a seasonal flu shot without leaving their cars. Flu clinics will be held at the same time at the Bay Mills Horizons Center in Brimley, and the Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Norris Center in Sault Ste. Marie. Interested people should bring their Medicare card, employer voucher, tribal card, or LSSU student or employee identification card. Immunizations will cost $20 for most adults, $10 for LSSU students and employees, $15 at the Bay Mills site, and are free to tribal members.

Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace will offer seasonal flu shots Tuesday, October 6, Wednesday, October 7, and Wednesday, October 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment. Laura Anderson, rural health clinic director at the hospital, expects to treat 800 people during that time. More dates will be added as necessary, she said. Vaccines will cost $25 per person.

Administering the seasonal flu vaccine in early October is a change from last year, Mr. Martin said. It was originally believed that a flu shot received in September would be effective until the next winter. The CDC has advised all vaccine providers to begin as soon as they receive them for this year, he said.

Swine flu vaccine, when it arrives, will be administered according to the priority system.

Flu Prevention

Several measures can be taken to prevent contracting the flu. Hands should be thoroughly washed with hot water or hand sanitizers regularly. Avoid touching eyes and mouth, and cough unto the crook of the elbow as necessary. If flu-like symptoms develop, stay home and avoid contact with people to prevent infecting others. It is also necessary to stay home for 24 hours after the fever has passed. Drink plenty of water and rest if you become sick.

Disposable items used by sick people should be thrown away. Wipe surfaces with disinfectants that are effective against Type A flu, information that can be found on the label. Utensils used by a sick person can be washed with other items, but should not be used until they have been cleaned.