The North Dakota Department of Health is gearing up for what may be an "unpredictable" flu season this year.
Jill Baber is influenza surveillance coordinator with the health department. She says last year was the worst flu season in the past 20 years, so this year they are trying to prepare for just about everything. She says a handful of cases have already been reported, but it's still very earlier in the season so they may be false positives. Baber says if you're interested in getting your flu shot early, there are a few select places that already have the vaccine.
"Influenza vaccine is starting to trickle in, there's also flu mis available this year. Not all the providers have it yet, it's just starting to come in. But in the coming weeks everyone should start to have the vaccine. It should be widely available soon."
Baber says it's recommended for everyone to get their flu shots by the end of October.