(MONTGOMERY, Ala.) Higher than normal levels of the flu are being reported in Alabama, in fact health officials say there has been significant flu activity in the state for seven consecutive weeks.
"We have heard numerous stories of hospitals with high volumes of flu patients, both those treated in the emergency department and those who are being admitted. At this point, although many hospitals are full, they are able to effectively care for the patients they have and, to our knowledge, are not asking for additional resources. They are taking extra precautions by requesting visitors avoid coming to the hospital if they think they might be sick," Rosemary Blackmon, executive vice president of the Alabama Hospital Association, said in a release.
At this time, there are no vaccine shortages in the state and all county health departments have vaccine available.
"The CDC warns that even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. It's not too late to get a flu shot to protect against this serious disease. People become protected about two weeks after receiving the vaccine," Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said in a release
The Mobile County Health Department is holding a drive-thru flu clinic today. It's from 8 a.m. Until 2 p.m. in the parking lot across from the Red Cross Headquarters on Sage Avenue. The shots are $15.
