By Kristen Berns, staff writer

AUSTIN &8212; The death of an 8-year-old boy from flu complications hasn&8217;t caused any concern in Mower County, even with February being peak time for the flu in Minnesota.

Margene Gunderson, director of community health service for Mower County, said she hasn’t received any phone calls from panicked parents asking about how, and if, their children should get the flu vaccine.

&8220;But there&8217;s still time to get it,&8221; she said. &8220;It&8217;s recommended for the entire general public.&8221;

In the Twin Cities, health officials organized a special one-day vaccination clinic on Saturday to accommodate the recent demand for flu vaccinations.

The Minnesota Health Department took about 100 calls about inquires on where to get a flu shot after the death of the child.

Lucio Satar of St. Paul was healthy before he began feeling sick Jan. 24. He died Wednesday of pneumonia, a complication from the flu.

Nationally, according to the state Health Department, about 100 children die every year from flu complications.

Gunderson said anyone wishing to receive the flu vaccine shot should contact their health care provider.

She said the recent death &8212; as unfortunate as it is &8212; will bring awareness to the virus.

&8220;It will heighten awareness with families,&8221; Gunderson said. &8220;There are complications that can occur from the flu.&8221;

However, she said, those complications usually happen with older populations. The young age of the recent flu victim, makes it even more unfortunate.

Gunderson recommends for sick people to stay home, practice good hand washing and get a flu vaccination.

&8220;Use general precautions to reduce the viral transmission in our area,&8221; she said.

She also said the vaccine available is a good link with protecting against the flu virus that is currently circulating.

According to MDH, the flu virus currently has &8220;widespread&8221; activity in Minnesota.