There will be many opportunities to get the seasonal flu vaccine for those who planned to attend Austin Medical Center’s now-postponed clinic earlier this week.

Minnesotans seeking the seasonal flu vaccine should call ahead because some clinics are reporting a shortage, the Associated Press has reported, but eight pharmacies in Austin have scheduled open clinics.

AMC’s flu shot clinics scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at Oak Park Mall were postponed “because the seasonal vaccine that we ordered from the pharmacy supply sources — and we were supposed to have by now, hence the reason why we scheduled it now — has not arrived,” representative Tami Yokiel said. “It is a supply issue, not one of demand.”

Austin Medical Center

Flu shots are available by appointment

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Yes

Hy-Vee

Clinics: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; noon-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday next week

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? No

Kmart

Clinics: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Yes

Medicap

Clinics: Monday through Friday next week

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Maybe

Shopko

Clinics: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 28

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Don’t know

Sterling Main Street

Clinics: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 12 and Oct. 21

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Maybe

Walgreens

Clinics: 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. today

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Yes

Wal-Mart

Clinics: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 14-15

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Don’t know

Target

Clinics: 2-6 p.m. Oct. 10 and 31

Will have H1N1 vaccine when available? Maybe

The novel H1N1 flu vaccine is still not available to the public; the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated it may be available in small doses next month. The Minnesota Department of Health has said it could be available as early as the end of September. Walgreens, AMC and Kmart in Austin have confirmed they will have some doses of the vaccine; other pharmacies do not know if they will receive it at all.

Margene Gunderson, director of Community Health Services, said she does not know of any confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in Mower County; those would be reported to the MDH. She pointed out that “confirmed” cases are determined through lab test results, and not all cases are tested. Officials at MDH said Tuesday they do not track cases in individual counties.

Gunderson explained during a Mower County board meeting Tuesday that the average age of those contracting H1N1 is 12; school-age children are most susceptible, unlike most seasonal flu, which largely affect the senior population. Those who believe they may have the H1N1 flu should not visit a hospital or clinic — call a doctor. Flu sufferers are strongly recommended to stay home from work, school and public areas and drink plenty of fluids.

According to the CDC, H1N1 flu was labeled as “widespread” in Minnesota and in most of the south and east coast of the United States for the week ending Sept. 12.

Based on reports of increased flu-like illness in schools and at reporting sites, flu activity in Minnesota is now classified as “widespread,” following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. “Widespread” is the highest classification in CDC’s flu reporting system. It means that cases of influenza have been reported in at least half of the state’s regions.

Flu activity in Iowa and South Dakota was reported as “local;” Wisconsin was “regional;” and North Dakota was labeled as “sporadic.” The flu has been reported in all 50 states, with 21 reporting “widespread activity,” CDC officials said.

The vaccine is expected to match the novel flu. The virus still maintains a high level of susceptibility to Tamiflu, an anti-viral drug used to treat it, Dr. Dan Jernigan of the CDC said during a press conference Friday. Most of the illness appears to be “moderate or moderately severe,” he said.

“The seasonal vaccine is out there,” he said. “It’s in doctors’ offices. So make an appointment to get the seasonal vaccine if you’re indicated to get it. It’s especially important for people that are over age 50, for children, pregnant women and people with underlying conditions like heart and lung diseases. This year we expect 115 million doses to be available.”

Gunderson is also encouraging people to sign up for Medical Reserve Corps of Mower County; about 36 people are signed up. Volunteers can help with flu shots and other medical situations if they arise. They are particularly in need of people with medical licenses. Gunderson said she is definitely making a push now that it is flu season.

“We need to get that registry populated,” she said.

To sign up for the Medical Reserve Corps, call Mower County Public Health at 437-9770 or visit www.mnresponds.org.