NY health officials say flu vaccine available

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Credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — State health officials say flu vaccine is still available for New Yorkers who want to get a flu shot, though there may be some localized shortages because of late season demand.

According to the Health Department, providers have been vaccinating since September, and those needing more vaccine should use the national Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System to help in ordering more.

The department says it is also surveying pharmacists and hospitals to determine their vaccine availability.

So far this season, more than 19,000 cases of influenza have been reported in New York, compared with some 4,400 positive lab tests reported in the 2011-2012 season.

By early January, the department says it received reports of 2,884 patients hospitalized with confirmed influenza.