making flu vaccines available to anyone over the age of six months.

The flu vaccine provides protection from common strains of the flu and is considered safe even for infants -- six months and over -- and pregnant women.

The vaccine is recommended for people at high risk -- the elderly, those with diabetes, asthma, sickle cell, heart and kidney disease, HIV and care givers in contact with this high risk category. This high risk group should first check with their doctors before getting the vaccine.

The shot, which does not require a doctor's permission, is available at the Hamilton Health Centre, at a cost of $10, from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Influenza -- better known as the flu -- is a virus infection usually caused by influenza virus type A or B and is spread by direct contact from sneezing or coughing.