Manufacturers are currently shipping flu vaccines for the 2011-2012 season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some vaccines were already available in August and more ample supplies are becoming available in September and October.

The flu season usually lasts from October to May.

The CDC recommends that all people of age 6 months and older get their yearly vaccines as soon as they are available.

People may obtain flu shots through their primary care physician or by using available providers.

One useful tool which has been used in previous years to find providers is the Google Flu Vaccine Finder, which as of early September was inactive.

The finder “will return for the 2011/12 flu season,” according to a statement on the finder’s website.

In the meantime, the federal government’s flu information website also provides a page which allows people to go directly to their state’s flu information page.