By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – To prepare for the flu season, the health department began vaccinating high-risk candidates in October and the general public in November. But availability of the vaccine has been sporadic this fall. Statewide, a total of 141-thousand-250 doses were available through county health departments this season. State health officials say individuals who can't get the shot at the county level will probably have to find a private physician. Health officials recommend getting vaccinated before the height of the season, since it takes at least two weeks for the vaccine to adequately fight off the flu. Flu season usually peaks during January and February.