Ind. hospitals restrict visits to limit flu spread

"There are ample supplies of the vaccine around the state," he said.

Health officials say it takes about two weeks for the vaccine's full protection to kick in. The vaccines are especially recommended for older people, young children and anyone with medical conditions such as heart or lung diseases that put them at high risk of dangerous flu complications.

The state's ongoing flu outbreak has claimed 27 lives, with 17 of those deaths reported during the past week. At least nine of those who died had received flu vaccine shots, the health department said in its weekly flu report Wednesday.

Twenty of those who have died had underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, the report said.

In Vincennes, local pharmacies are running out of the antiviral medication Tamiflu, which is used to slow or stop flu symptoms, the Vincennes Sun-Commercial reported.

The vaccine for the illness is still available across the state. The Marion County health department will hold a free flu shot clinic Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the training center at 4012 N. Rural St. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.