Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin is reminding residents that flu season is in full force but it’s not too late to get your flu vaccine.

“That’s especially true for high-risk people,” said Sallin, of those over 65 or individuals with existing health issues. “We still have vaccinations available and encourage people to consider it as a way to minimize symptoms.”

Sallin noted that vaccines are best utilized by late October or early November, noting that “flu season” used to decline by mid to late January but has been persisting until March or later over the last several years.

“We’ve been seeing more flu cases later in the year, even into March, so getting the shot later in the year, specifically for those over the age of 65, extends that protection,” said Sallin.

So far this year, the OCHD has provided 802 shots, with 78 in December. In 2024, the department gave 739, well below the 989 administered in 2023.

Some of the decline may be due to vaccination uncertainty, which Sallin said is likely a contributing factor to spreading the virus. “If all the people out at the store, or at church or wherever aren’t getting their vaccines, they might get the virus, and become more sick than someone who did receive the vaccine,” she added. “Getting the flu shot does not prevent you from catching the flu; hopefully, it just makes your symptoms much milder. If you get really sick, you have more viral load in you, so when you cough and you sneeze, it’s spreading more than it would if you just had a minimal load.”

Sallin noted that just 23 flu cases were reported last month, with the decline coming over the last few years. In 2022, there were 144 cases reported in December, but Sallin noted that once COVID-19 case reporting was no longer mandated, reporting of flu cases declined as well. “We were getting data constantly from the doctor’s offices and hospitals, and since that’s not reportable anymore, I think some places have forgotten they need to send us the flu cases, too,” she added, noting there were 17 flu cases reported in December 2024, and one the previous December.

All but one of the cases reported last month were Influenza A, and there has been one unconfirmed death of an Osage County resident as a result of the flu.

“The strain going around seems to be very hard on people,” said Sallin. “They’re getting really sick.”

She added there’s no way to know for sure how many cases of the flu are being treated. “The aggregate data we get is reported by doctors’ offices, urgent cares, and some from the hospitals,” Sallin said. “We’ve heard that offices have been very busy with patients.”

Few people self-report their illness. Sallin said home test kits can help address symptoms sooner.

OCHD staff provided flu shots to several Osage County businesses and all the schools, private and public, along with public after-hour clinics held at the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, local fire stations, etc. The office was open later one evening every week in October to provide after hours options for those who needed it.

“We also created a poll on Facebook asking people what day and time would work best,” said Sallin. “We had some responses, but not as many as we’d like.”

Still, the office continues to offer flu shots, with Immunization Coordinator Kandiss Hoffman leading the effort. “Kandiss has a very important job,” said Sallin. “She has to figure out how much vaccine to order every year and try to get as close as possible to that number.”

Hoffman explained she has to reserve the number of vaccinations she expects to administer during the upcoming flu season, and has to order a final amount by Oct. 15.

For 2025, she reserved 1,000 units and ordered 900, having used 802 as of this week.

“The challenge is that you have to be pretty close to what you need when you place the order,” said Hoffman. “Whatever you don’t order by the deadline goes back into the pool for other agencies to use. But, if I order too much, and we don’t use it all, we run into problems.”

Hoffman orders vaccines from two manufacturers, one for regular flu vaccine, the other for high-dose flu vaccine for those over the age of 65.

The good news is that 30% of the units ordered can be returned for reimbursement. In this case, Hoffman ordered 900 vials, which means she can be reimbursed for up to 270. In the event, however, that fewer vaccinations were provided, the department only gets credit for 30% of the total order. Any beyond that are reimbursed at $7.50 each through a federal excise tax.

“Finding that sweet spot is a very important part of her duties,” said Sallin.

Patients with health insurance visiting the OCHD for a flu shot will have it processed in-house. The state has funding for individuals without insurance or who don’t have enough, and for children on Medicaid.

Sallin said the department asks for a donation of $20 to help offset the cost of vaccines, but regardless, no one is turned away.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health, especially during flu season:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine) except to get medical care or for other necessities. Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, and other related items could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

Additional information is available at a variety of websites, including www.cdc.gov.