This won't hurt a bit Influenza vaccinations increase, no cases of infection reported By ROBBY LUCKE Staff Vaccinations for influenza, commonly known as the flu, have increased locally, while the flu was minimal here last year and there have been no confirmed cases so far this season. Is there a correlation? "Most definitely," said Eva Wooten, Alleghany's public health nursing supervisor. "I just hope it (the flu) doesn't start." The health department begins vaccinating for the flu in October and November, Wooten said. "We look for the flu to start in December and January."

VACCINATED — Registered Nurse Mary Jones gives a flu shot to Emma Smith of Sparta during last week's free vaccination clinic at Alleghany Memorial Hospital.

She said that this season the health department has administered slightly more than 1,100 doses of flu vaccine, compared to 750 a year ago.

"To my knowledge there have been no reported cases in North Carolina (this season)," she said. "We've had lots of viruses and lots of colds that people have called flu, but to my knowledge no officially reported cases."

Wooten said there have been years when Alleghany County had no outbreak of flu. "Last year we might have had a few, but it was not a big problem. We had lots of vaccine last year and even more this year."

Alleghany Memorial Hospital offered two free vaccination clinics within the last week. Turnout was relatively light but steady at the first clinic Jan. 18.

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