With sunny skies and daytime temperatures hitting the 80s, it may seem too early to think about flu season.

But many flu shot clinics are already planned in Central Oregon, some starting this week.

”October is a good time to start getting (flu shots) for high-risk folks,” said Mindy Stom-ner, immunization coordinator for the Deschutes County Health Department. ”We really don’t want them to contract this.”

Influenza is a contagious respiratory virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, responsible for about 36,000 deaths each year in the United States. People at highest risk for contracting influenza are children between 6 months and 5 years of age, pregnant women, people older than 50, people with certain chronic medical conditions and those who live in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities.

In recent years, when flu shot supplies have been short, the shots have been limited to those in high-risk groups. So far, that is not the case this year, Stom-ner said.

”It’s supposed to be a good year for supply,” she said. ”Anybody who wants access to a vaccine should get one.”

Although manufacturers of the vaccine and suppliers have said there should be no shortage of flu shots this year, Stomner said she has so far only received a fraction of the doses she ordered for the county. The Crook County and Jefferson County health departments are in the same boat.

”We do have some. We don’t have enough to have a clinic,” said Juanita Wood, immunization coordinator for the Crook County Health Department, explaining she is waiting to schedule a flu shot clinic until more serum arrives. ”Maybe, just maybe, we are going to have enough this year. I’m still holding my breath.”

Diane Seyl, director of the Jefferson County Health Department, said she is planning to hold a flu shot clinic in November, but has not received the serum for that event yet.

Nationally, the flu shot supply appears to be healthier than in recent years, said Lorraine Duncan, immunization program manager for the Oregon Department of Human Services. But, she said, much like last year the vaccine is expected to arrive late.

One flu vaccine manufacturer has said it expects to ship out 50 percent of its supply by the end of October with the rest arriving in November, said Mimi Luther, vaccine manager for the state. And, she said, November is not too late to get a flu shot and have it be effective.

”We have to help people get over the idea that once Thanksgiving hits you shouldn’t get vaccinated anymore,” Luther said. ”The flu season in Oregon doesn’t peak until February.”

Immunity from the flu shot usually lasts about six months.

Health officials are encouraging companies that offer flu shots to wait to schedule clinics until they have received the vaccine, Duncan said. Of the clinics planned in Central Oregon, managers at Costco and the Erickson’s Thriftway in Bend said they have heard of no reason to cancel.

At the Bend Senior Center, Program Manager Brenda Chilcott said she has been assured enough doses will be available for the Flu Shot Fest scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6. Along with flu shots, seniors will be able to get free blood pressure screenings, balance tests and information from medical providers.

Sandy Petty, a nurse with HealthWise Inc., a company that holds flu shot clinics at local grocery stores, said she has received enough doses to hold the clinics she has scheduled this week. She’s not yet scheduling clinics later in the fall.

”I always keep my fingers crossed until I get all my serum,” she said.

Area flu shot clinics

Upcoming flu shot events will be held:

* Monday, Oct. 2, at Ray’s Food Place in Sisters from 1 to 6 p.m.

* Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Ray’s Food Place in La Pine from 1 to 6 p.m. Also at Costco in Bend from 3 to 7 p.m.

* Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Newport Avenue Market in Bend from 1 to 6 p.m.

* Thursday, Oct. 5, at Big R in Redmond from 1 to 6 p.m. And at The Sisters Drug store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Friday, Oct. 6, at Ray’s Food Place in Bend from 1 to 6 p.m. Also at the Bend Senior Center from 9 a.m. to noon for the annual Flu Shot Fest and at ShopKo in Bend from 10 a.m. 2 p.m.

* Saturday, Oct. 7, at Wal-Mart in Redmond from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Sunday, Oct. 8, at Wal-Mart in Redmond from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Monday, Oct. 9, at Costco in Bend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also at Erickson’s Thriftway in Bend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Sisters Community Church from 9 a.m. to noon. Also at the Walgreens Drug Store in Redmond from 1 to 4 p.m. and Erickson’s Thriftway in Bend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Terrebonne Thriftway from noon to 6 p.m.

* Friday, Oct. 13, at Erickson’s Thriftway in Bend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* Saturday, Oct. 14, at Erickson’s Thriftway in Redmond from noon to 6 p.m.

* Wednesday, Oct. 18, at High Lakes Health Care-Eastside in Bend from 4 to 6 p.m. Also at the La Pine Senior Center from 1 to 4 p.m. and at Costco in Bend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Friday, Oct. 20, at Erickon’s Thriftway in Bend from noon to 6 p.m.

* Saturday, Oct. 21, at Erickson’s Thriftway in Madras from noon to 6 p.m. Also at Costco in Bend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Redmond Senior Center from 8 a.m. to noon.

* Thursday, Oct. 26, at The Sisters Drug Store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also at Costco in Bend from 3 to 7 p.m.

* Saturday, Oct. 28, at Erickson’s Thriftway in Bend from noon to 6 p.m.

* Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Costco in Bend from 3 to 7 p.m.

* Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds from 2 to 4 p.m.

* Friday, Nov. 3, at Erickson’s Thriftway in Bend from noon to 6 p.m.

* Saturday, Nov. 4, at Erickson’s Thriftway in Redmond from noon to 6 p.m.

* Monday, Nov. 6, at ShopKo in Bend from 4 to 8 p.m.

* Friday, Nov. 10, at Costco in Bend from 3 to 7 p.m.

* Saturday, Nov. 11, at Erickson’s Thriftway in Bend from noon to 6 p.m.

* Monday, Nov. 13, at Walgreens Drug Store in Redmond from 9 a.m. to noon.

Most of the clinics will bill the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Clear Choice Health Plans for the shots. Otherwise, shots are generally between $18 and $30. And clinic times and dates may be subject to change, depending on vaccine supply.

For more information, visit www.getaflushot.com or www.findaflushot.com.