Flu season is underway.

The seasonal influenza and swine flu are traveling across the U.S. at a rapid pace. This season there are different types of shots available for each flu.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Oct. 9 ”Situation Update,” the activity of influenza and H1N1 increased in the U.S. and is now affecting all states either on a local, regional or widespread level.

According to the CDC’s Web site, the seasonal influenza has two vaccines that are available: the “flu shot” and the nasal-spray flu vaccine. The flu shot is distributed through a needle in the arm and contains a form of a killed virus. This shot can be given to healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions, and it can be given to an infant starting at six months, according to the Web site.

The nasal-spray flu vaccine is also known as the live attenuated influenza vaccine. FluMist is another similar precaution for flu season but is distributed in a unique way. This vaccine also differs from the regular flu shot because it contains live weakened flu viruses. However, this does not cause the flu. The FluMist can be administered for all healthy people ranging from ages 2-49 years old, the Web site said.

The CDC warns that these two shots will not prevent any person from the H1N1 virus. To be protected from the H1N1 virus, one must have a different type of shot administered to them. A person cannot receive these two shots, or nasal spray vaccine, during the same visit to their doctor, according to the CDC.

Those who are recommended to get these vaccines are people who work in community service, students living in dormitories, people in correctional facilities, those taking care of the elderly or other types of crowded conditions.

Karen Grush, DeKalb County Health Department public health administrator, said an estimated 36,000 Americans die and 200,000 are hospitalized due to seasonal influenza every year, according to a press release on the DeKalb County Health Departments Web site.

“Seasonal influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent seasonal influenza and its severe complications,” Grush said in the release. “Although the vaccine is not 100 percent effective in preventing seasonal flu, it is very effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing seasonal flu-related deaths.”

Flu shots are available at the DeKalb County Health Department, 2550 N. Annie Glidden Road, which is now accepting walk-ins from Oct 15 until Oct. 29 for adults 19 years of age or older and children 6 months to 18 years old.

The Health Department will receive the H1N1 vaccine in the middle of the month, and details will be announced when it arrives.

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