As the regular flu season approaches, South Carolinians are encouraged to get vaccinated against the pesky bug.

Regular flu vaccine, touted by a local health department official as the best protection against the flu, particularly for high-risk populations, is now available statewide.

How serious is the flu?

"Approximately 36,000 die just from regular seasonal flu annually," said Drew Gerald, disease surveillance and response coordinator at the Orangeburg County Health Department. "Generally, what we consider high-risk groups are persons who are 65 and older, young children, particularly 5 and under, and those with preexisting chronic conditions or immunosuppressive systems. We're also concerned about pregnant women."

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reports that approximately 700 people die from seasonal flu in the state each year, with more than 4,000 South Carolinians admitted to a hospital. Flu is listed as the leading cause of death for people ages 65 and older.

Gerald countered a popular myth by saying that individuals can not get the flu from the seasonal flu shot. He also said coughing and sneezing into your sleeve or tissue instead of your hand, washing hands thoroughly and often, and staying home when you are sick are some of the simplest ways individuals can help prevent the spread of flu.

"Taking good care of yourself, including getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet, is also important," said Gerald, who stressed that the vaccine against the regular seasonal flu will not necessarily provide protection against what doctors call the 2009 H1N1 strain, or swine flu. The separate two-shot vaccine against H1N1 is expected to be available in October.

"One doesn't necessarily provide protection from the other. We really want people to be aware of that. It's better to be vaccinated, particularly for those who are in high-risk groups," said Gerald, who said the local health department is working on plans on how they're going to administer the H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available.

Dr. Jerry Gibson, director of the state DHEC's Bureau of Disease Control, said seasonal flu vaccine is available at doctor's offices and county public health departments. Prices for the shots vary, but there is a $25 charge for the vaccination at DHEC clinics. Medicare and Medicaid will cover the charge for those who are eligible.

Gerald said anyone who wants a shot, however, can get one regardless of ability to pay. "We will work with them in regards to providing a flu shot," he said.

Medicare Advantage enrollees are encouraged to contact their plans to learn whether a certain provider is able to provide the flu shot. Children and adolescents ages 6 months to 18 years are eligible for free seasonal flu vaccine through the DHEC Vaccine Assurance For All Children Immunization Partnership, which is available in many doctor's offices, community health centers and DHEC's county public health departments.

Flu vaccination information, clinic times and locations are available at scdhec.gov/flu, 803-898-0460 or toll-free at 1-800-277-4687. Information is also available by dialing 211 from anywhere in the state.

DHEC Region 5 flu clinic schedule

Bamberg County

-- Bamberg County Public Health Department, 370 Log Branch Road, Bamberg:

Oct. 23 and 30 -- By appointment

Calhoun County

-- Calhoun County Public Health Department, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews:

Oct. 9 and 30 -- By appointment

Orangeburg County

-- Holly Hill Public Health Department, 932 Holly St., Holly Hill:

Oct. 2 and 16 -- By appointment

-- Orangeburg County Public Health Department, 1550 Carolina Ave., Orangeburg:

Oct. 12 and 26 -- By appointment

Dates for vaccinations at the local health departments are subject to change depending on the availability of the vaccine. Individuals seeking a flu shot should call the SCDHEC Region 5 central appointing line at 803-642-7543 or toll-free at 1-800-450-1687 to schedule an appointment. Individuals are also asked to call during the week before the scheduled clinic to ensure availability of the vaccine. Flu shots are $25. If you have a Medicaid or Medicare Part B card, bring it with you.

Who needs which flu vaccine?

(AP) Who needs vaccine against regular winter flu, and who should be first in line for the swine flu shot? There's lots of overlap.

Regular flu vaccine is available now, and people who need it most include:

-- Adults 50 and older.

-- All children ages 6 months to 18 years.

-- Pregnant women.

-- People of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, heart disease or a weakened immune system.

-- Health workers.

-- Caregivers to the high-risk, including babies younger than 6 months.

Don't like shots? There's a nasal spray version of the vaccine, called FluMist, available for people ages 2 to 49.

Once the swine flu vaccine starts arriving next month, the government says first in line will be:

-- Pregnant women.

-- The young, from 6 months up through age 24 years of age.

-- Health workers.

-- Younger and middle-aged adults with those chronic health conditions.

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