Liz Bacom with the Petersburg Medical Center shares hand sanitizer with Erin Michael, Public Health Nurse. Photo/Angela Denning

Liz Bacom with the Petersburg Medical Center shares hand sanitizer with Erin Michael, Public Health Nurse. Photo/Angela Denning

It’s flu season but it hasn’t officially hit Southeast Alaska…yet. Unfortunately, it inevitably will. And local health professionals are reminding the public of ways they can help the impact be less severe.

KFSK’s Angela Denning spoke with Erin Michael and Liz Bacom with the Public Health Center and Petersburg Medical Center about this year’s flu.

Flu vaccines are recommended for people six months and older. Nasal spray is an alternative to the shot for healthy children ages 2 to 18.

The flu shots run about 25 dollars. The public health center has a sliding scale for people who don’t have enough to pay.

The Public Health Center will do a walk-in shot clinic on Monday, November 23. People do not have to make an appointment.

At the Medical Center Clinic, you don’t need to see a doctor, you can just make an appointment with a nurse at 772-4299.

The Public Health Clinic will also do flu shot clinics on-site at local businesses if there is interest. Michael will also visit homes for people who have trouble getting into the center. The number for the Public Health Center is 772-4611.