EDITOR,

I am Dr. Phillip Yu, a local physician and chief of staff at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital. I am also the current chairperson of the Tracy Hospital Foundation.

Today, Oct. 10, the Audrey Glover-Dan Schack Flu Clinic will kick off at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital from noon to 2 p.m.

This initial shot is for the seasonal flu, not the H1N1 swine flu. It is for the underserved, uninsured, or for anyone who can’t afford to get a flu shot.

As the influenza season starts, I want to share that this summer I have seen a record number of influenza cases. Many of these cases are H1N1. But as we progress into the regular seasonal flu, we will see the “regular” flu as well.

It is very important for our community’s health that we each get an influenza shot. If you get your flu shot, you not only protect yourself, you act as a shield to those around you, because the flu won’t get to them through you.

We are working hard to get the H1N1 vaccine. It appears we shall have this in early November. H1N1 has been dangerous to a select few. But as it spreads, the severity of disease and the number of people harmed may escalate quickly. At the hospital, we have seen several severe, nearly fatal, cases of H1N1.

The best defense is a good offense, and H1N1 vaccine will protect you. I urge you to look in the Tracy Press for our fliers for upcoming flu clinics. May you be well.

• Phillip Yu is chief of staff at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital.