The Northern Kentucky Health Department has received 2,000 doses of the flu vaccine, following weeks of delays, and will start offering flu shots Monday.

        But the shots will be available only to those 65 years and older or people with high-risk medical conditions such as diabetes, immune disorders and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

        “Right now, that's who we want to serve,” health department spokeswoman Peggy Patterson said.

        A flu vaccine shipment from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta arrived Wednesday. It was smaller than the 3,000 to 4,000 doses that the health department normally receives, she said.

        The Northern Kentucky shipment comes after reports earlier this week that the Ohio Department of Health has shipped 86,000 doses to county and city health departments statewide and has another 18,000 in reserve.

        There is still time to get a flu shot because the flu season has barely started.

        Based on state reports received through Nov. 25, the CDC reports “regional” flu activity in two states: Kentucky and Texas.

        Flu activity has been sporadic in Ohio, Indiana and 22 other states.

        The rest reported no influenza activity.

        While that level of activity reflects a normal year, this year's flu season is unique in a not-so-good way.

        Flu vaccine campaigns usually begin in October, well before the flu season peaks from January to February. However, this year, manufacturing problems delayed production, pushing the campaigns back by months.

        The dilemma left the Northern Kentucky Health Department unable to provide vaccines at its clinics and anxious about when it would get the vaccine.

        Ms. Patterson said the vaccine program will be evaluated in the next weeks to see whether shots can be offered to more people beyond the high-risk category.

        The vaccine is $10.

        Those who are in the Northern Kentucky Health Department's high-risk category should call to make an appointment at the following county health department centers: Boone, (859) 525-1770; Campbell, (859) 431-1704; Grant, (859) 824-5074; and Kenton, (859) 431-3345.

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