Senior citizens, pregnant women and healthcare professionals should all be thinking flu shots right about now, instead of waiting for flu season to start, experts say.

The state Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control are urging people who are in the high priority group to get their flu shot before Oct. 24, and those who are relatively healthy to be vaccinated after them.

The high priority group are people 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, people with chronic health conditions, children ages 6 to 23 months, pregnant women, health-care personnel who provide direct patient care and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.

Janice Okubo, state Department of Health spokeswoman, said it looks like vaccine supplies are adequate this year.

Last year saw a nationwide flu vaccine shortage caused by a problem in an overseas manufacturing plant. Hawai'i was in better shape than some states because 230,000 doses of flu vaccine arrived in the Islands, while some states received very few doses.

Nationally, 57 million people got flu shots last year. Flu season generally runs between October and March and peaks in January and February.

"We're saying that the state Department of Health is cautiously optimistic that the supply of vaccinations will be adequate this year," Okubo said. "Some physicians already have their vaccination supplies."

Statewide there are 100 flu clinics that will make the trivalent influenza vaccine available, the first being at this weekend's 2005 Hawai'i Seniors Fair at Neal Blaisdell Center. HMSA will give out flu shots for HMSA, HMSA 65C Plus, and HMSA QUEST members tomorrow through Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The best time to get vaccinated is October or November, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial. If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your healthcare provider.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.