Now is the time for healthy people, older people and people with chronic diseases and weak immune systems to get flu shots.

Earlier this year, federal officials asked health departments, doctors and other organizations to reserve their first shipments of vaccine for people 60 and older and others who may suffer severe health problems if they get the flu. The reason: a delay making the vaccine.

Now, several health departments and other groups in the Northern San Joaquin Valley are ready to offer shots to healthy people. They also are encouraging people with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart and lung diseases, to get flu shots if they have not done so.

"Everyone who has been putting it off should get one," said Danette Stoddard, a manager with the Visiting Nurse Association of the Central Valley, part of Modesto's Memorial Medical Center.

Because it takes only two weeks to develop immunity, experts say shots given late in the year will protect people during flu season, which continues through spring.

Doctors have not recorded a case of the targeted flu in California this season, leading health department officials to believe that a wave of the virus is yet to come.

Costs for flu shots range from $2 to $10 at some public health departments to $15 for shots from the visiting nurses. Some public health departments will waive fees if needed. Here are some times and dates of flu shot clinics:

• STANISLAUS COUNTY -- The Health Services Agency offers flu shots on a drop-in basis from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the agency, 820 Scenic Drive, Modesto. For more information, call 558-8872.
• The Visiting Nurse Association will offer flu shots from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Big Valley Grace Community Church, 4040 Tully Road, Modesto; and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Kmart store on Hatch Road near Highway 99 in Ceres.
• SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY -- The health department is offering flu shots from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at the department's offices at 124 Sycamore Ave., Manteca; from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on the second Monday of the month at offices at 1055 Escalon-Bellota Road, Escalon; and from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on the third Monday of the month at offices at Locust and Fourth streets, Ripon. If the third Monday is a holiday, the clinic will be held the fourth Monday of the month. For more information, call 468-3400.

Visiting nurses will give flu shots from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the Kmart store, 255 Northgate Drive, Manteca.

MERCED COUNTY -- The health department will offer flu shots from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the department's offices, 415 W. F St., Los Banos; from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Planada Cherish, 9167 E. Stanford Ave.; and from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Le Grand Community Services Building, 13040 E. Jefferson St.

Merced County may offer more flu shot clinics in the future if there is enough vaccine. For more information, call 381-1150.

TUOLUMNE COUNTY -- Call the Visiting Nurse Association, 533-6800.

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AT A GLANCE

In addition to the flu vaccine, area health organizations are offering pneumococcal vaccine. Unlike flu shots, these shots are typically given once in a person's life and can be given any time of the year. They protect against pneumococcal pneumonia.

These shots are recommended for:

• People 65 and older, regardless of health.
• People 2 years and older with chronic heart or lung disorders.
• People who have diabetes, liver, sickle cell or kidney disease.
• People who have weakened immune systems from cancer or other disease.

Source: National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.