Governor Beebe's weekly column and radio address:

This is Governor Mike Beebe. While I'm in Europe on an economic development mission, I've asked Dr. Paul Halverson of the Arkansas Health Department to give us an update about flu season and the availability of vaccinations. Dr. Halverson?

Thank you, Governor.

Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by viruses. There are several varieties of the flu. Currently, Arkansas has cases of the new H1N1 influenza A, commonly known as Swine Flu, in all of our counties.

Flu attacks a person's nose, throat and lungs. It usually comes on quickly, and symptoms may include fever of over 100 degrees, headache and body aches, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea.

Most people who get the flu get sick for a few days and get better in a week or two, but some develop life-threatening complications and may even die. We have already seen seven deaths in Arkansas this year associated with the 2009 H1N1 flu.

The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu shot each year. Arkansas's Health Department will be offering Mass Flu Clinics in every county again on October 29, 30 and 31. We will be offering seasonal flu shots, and depending on when we get enough H1N1 flu vaccine, H1N1 shots as well. To find out the location of the clinic in your county, call your local health unit, or visit http://www.healthyarkansas.com/ and click on Mass Flu Clinics.

We will also be vaccinating all public and charter school children for seasonal and H1N1 flu beginning October 17 and continuing for the next several months. Your child's school will be sending you complete information on these voluntary and free vaccinations.

At the Mass Flu Clinics, there is no charge for the shots; however, we ask that you please bring your insurance, ArKIDS, Medicaid, or Medicare cards.

Arkansas has received our first batch of H1N1 vaccine, and we will continue to order additional doses as they become available. Our first vaccine coming into the state will be the nasal flu mist. It will be used at our school clinics to begin vaccinating children, one of the priority groups the Centers for Disease Control has identified to receive initial doses of the vaccine. The nasal flu mist is not recommended for pregnant women or people with chronic-related conditions.

As we get more H1N1 vaccine - flu mist and shots - we will be giving it to the priority groups first. These include pregnant women, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants under 6 months of age, children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years, and people ages 25-64 years with underlying health conditions (like asthma or diabetes).

The seasonal flu shot will not protect you against the new H1N1 flu; you need both vaccines.

We've been hearing concern on the part of some parents about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine. The good news is that all of the flu vaccines are made the same way. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is just a new recipe for the seasonal flu shot that's been manufactured and used for years with no serious problems. Reactions include a little soreness and redness near the site of the shot and perhaps a slight fever or headache. The flu shot cannot give you the flu.

In addition to getting your flu shot, you can help fight the flu in Arkansas by practicing the three C's:

Clean: Properly wash your hands frequently, scrubbing with warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wipes when you can't wash your hands.

Cover: Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue and then throw it away. If you don't have a tissue handy, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow.

Contain: Contain your germs by staying home if you are sick. Call your doctor to see what you should do before going to the doctor's office or the emergency room. You might be contagious and could potentially infect others.

So Arkansas, help the Arkansas Department of Health Fight the Flu this season. Get your shots, practice the 3 C's and spread the word to your family, friends and co-workers.

Thank you.