By CRAIG FREILICH

Rumors of delays in delivering flu vaccine, especially for children, have been making the rounds in the national and regional news for a week or more, but there is no such situation in St. Lawrence County.

“We have plenty of vaccine for kids and adults,” said Kindra Cousineau, R.N., of the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department.

The department runs its own vaccination clinics and is now equipped to handle billing, so people may call 386-2325 to get an appointment. The next county flu vaccine clinic is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Massena Community Center.

Cousineau notes that the county’s influenza vaccine doses contain none of the preservative thimerosal, which has become controversial because it contains traces of mercury.

Cousineau also points out that many doctors have flu vaccine doses that doctors and other health professionals can administer at their offices and clinics, and that more drug stores are offering flu vaccine than ever before.

“We recommend that people start getting their flu shots now, so you can build up protection” from the various strains that could start to infect people soon.

“Usually spring is the hardest, when it peaks, but last year it started early and went straight through to June,” Cousineau said.

There is more information on clinics, immunizations and other ways to protect yourself and your family during flu season at http://www.co.st-lawrence.ny.us/Departments/PublicHealth/ImmunizationProgram/, and www.cdc.gov/flu/.