So, let me get this straight: everyone should get flu shots and children are especially susceptible. But most doctors don't have the shots and places like Walgreen's won't give the shots to children. Ask the City for advice and you can pretty much cue the crickets.

The flu is here. I've heard of cases at local universities. The City Health Department Web site lists four deaths from swine flu this year. Everyone agrees, kids under 5 are at higher risk of complications and should get vaccinated.

Meanwhile, school has started and most kids likely aren't vaccinated yet. Considering that it takes about two weeks for the body to develop the necessary anti-bodies to the flu virus, these kids should have gotten flu shots at least two weeks ago.

My neighbors told me yesterday that their child was vaccinated with a seasonal flu virus. So, I called my doctor at a major clinic in town and was told they won't have shots until October. The same is true for the entire network, it seems. My co-worker here was told the same thing by her doctor, who said that if people don't get vaccinated until mid-October, it's already too late for some.

Places like Pick 'N Save and Walgreen's already have adult flu shots but nothing for kids. I called the City's Northwest Health Center and found they also have no shots. "When will they come," I asked. "I don't know," was the reply.

I got about the same reply when I called the Health Department office. "Try the Visiting Nurses Association," a woman said. When I pointed out that the Health Department's own Web site says that the VNA only does adult shots, the circle was completed. "Try your doctor."

This doesn't say much for our preparedness.