BILLINGS — With the flu season getting off to an early start in Montana, health officials are advising people to get vaccinated sooner rather than later. However, the high dose vaccine for those over 65 years of age is a tough find right now.
Barbara Schneeman with RiverStone Health in Billings says seven cases of influenza have been reported so far in Yellowstone County.
Schneeman says it’s important for everyone over the age of six months to get the vaccination to ward off the virus.
The higher dose for seniors over the age of 65 is in short supply, though. CVS in Billings said Thursday that it is out of the higher dose vaccine, but did have the vaccine for those under the age of 65 in supply.
Schneeman said RiverStone is also out of the higher dose vaccine for seniors, but hopes that the supply will be replenished in the next couple of weeks.
Last year in Montana there were 13,576 cases of the flu with 767 hospitalizations and 38 deaths.
