If you haven’t gotten your flu shot, now is the time to do it.

Andalusia Walk-In Clinic Nurse Practitioner Jill Elmore said getting the flu shot is vital.

“It’s very important to get your flu shot this year, especially in the elderly,” she said. “So many deaths in the elderly population could be prevented by simply getting the flu shot.”

Lori Varner, market manager for Andalusia Regional Hospital for physical practices, said patients are already testing positive for the flu at the walk-in clinic.

Varner said they are stocked and ready to administer the vaccination.

The Covington County Health Department doesn’t have a flu shot clinic set up, but those wishing to receive one can make an appointment for Tuesday mornings from 8-12.

David Leggett, immunization director for the Alabama Department of Public Health for this area, said that there is not a vaccine shortage, but he has distributed the vaccine to his nine counties based on “magic, last year’s usage and how much publicity the flu is getting.”

“In Covington County, that’s not necessarily all the flu shots she’s going to get,” he said. “Say, if Covington County is using theirs at a faster rate than Conecuh County, I can move the supply around.”

Leggett said the good news is that the vaccines appear to be the right vaccine for combatting this year’s flu strain.

The vaccine is also available at Darby’s, CVS and Rite Aid, Florala Pharmacy.

“We’ve been to Kinston, Ino, and Samson,” said Charles Smith, owner of Florala Pharmacy. “You can just walk-in.”