More flu vaccines available in the Valley

MAT-SU — H1N1 flu is still a threat, and the Mat-Su Public Health Center has two more vaccination clinics scheduled to fight the virus.

The first is Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at the center itself on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway across from the bowling alley.

The second is on Thursday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Palmer Depot.

Vaccines are free of charge, and health officials are still urging people to get immunized.

Nurse Manager Jane Conard said mid-February to April tends to be Alaska’s strongest flu season with all the traveling people do out of state.

“I expect we will see some spike in the new year,” Conard said. “I don’t think it will be quite the same as we saw in the fall.”

Conard explained there are less people susceptible to H1N1 now because of vaccinations and people who have already got the swine flu. But with increased vaccinations, the vulnerable population can drop even further, she said.

Mat-Su Borough Emergency Manager Tom Smayda said he hopes people don’t become complacent, but that’s what happens when the number of cases slows and the issue gets out of the spotlight.

“They start saying we are going to wait it out and see. But, I’m not sure what they are waiting for,” Smayda said. “All the experts say you should get vaccinated. We are not out of the woods yet.”

— Todd L. Disher