Health Department says flu coming early

The Iowa Department of Public Health today stepped up its call for you toget a flu shot. State Epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says it appearsthe flu will hit Iowa earlier than normal.Quinlisk says they normally recommend you get a flu shot between mid Octoberto mid November. But, she says with signs pointing to an early flu season,you shouldn’t delay getting immunized.She says the sooner you get the shot working in your system, the betterchance you have of not getting the flu. Quinlisk says the strength of theflu virus doesn’t change much.Quinlisk says those in “high risk” groups need to get a shot as soon aspossible. People who’re 65-years or older, people with chronic medicalproblems or those in a family with a “high risk’ individual in them shouldget a flu shot.