THE Department of Health is offering influenza shots to the public beginning on Monday.

The vaccines will be available at the Hamilton, St. George's and Somerset clinics at a cost of $10.

"Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that is spread person to person by coughs and sneezes from an infected person," a Government spokesperson said.

"In Bermuda, the peak time for developing flu is the second half of January. During the 2003 peak season of January through March, there were 348 cases of flu reported to the Department of Health and more cases may have been unreported. In 2002, and 2001, there were 766 and 950 cases of flu reported respectively." Those most at risk for flu are elderly people over the age of 65, children and adults who are frail or who have a chronic heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, or immune sytem diseases. People in nursing homes, health care providers and travellers are also vulnerable.

While influenza is not considered serious for most people, it is unpleasant and debilitating and may take one or two weeks to recover fully from an attack. It is especially dangerous for people who are at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia.

"Senior medical officer Brenda Davidson said flu symptoms develop two to four days after exposure and may be quite mild, but more serious attacks may cause high fever with headache, muscle aches, fatigue and general malaise," the spokesperson added.

"Symptoms include a cough, sore throat and runny nose. With extra fluids, bed rest, aspirin or acetaminophen advised for fever or headache, recovery can take a few days."

Aspirin, Dr. Davidson pointed out, is generally not recommended for children. The vaccine is considered safe for children over six months of age and women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

The clinics are open between 8.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. from Monday through Friday in Hamilton, on Mondays in St. George's and on Wednesdays in Somerset.