CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / STATEWIDE

State health officials Thursday urged residents to get a seasonal flu shot -- one of two flu shots recommended this year -- which is now available in California.

Although vaccinations for swine flu, a separate strain, will not be available until next month, health officials are recommending that the public ask their doctor, pharmacy or local health department for their seasonal flu shot now.

Officials had initially feared that people might need two flu shots just for the swine flu, but further testing has shown that one swine flu shot provides adequate immunity. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in general, anyone who wants to reduce his or her chance of becoming sick with the seasonal flu should receive a flu shot, which is available by injection or nasal spray.

-- Rong-Gong Lin II