(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Health says National Influenza Vaccination Week will be December 4 through 10.

The national observance was established to highlight the importance of influenza vaccinations and encourage more people to be vaccinated after the holiday season, into January and beyond.

“Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Acting Director Dr. Kenneth Soyemi.  “The flu season typically runs from October to May, with the peak around January, so get vaccinated today before all the holiday parties and family gatherings.”

The IDPH says one of the biggest myths about the flu is the person gets the flu from a flu shot. They say the influenza vaccination cannot give you the flu because the flu shot contains killed viruses, and the nasal spray has weakened viruses that cannot cause illness.

(KFVS) - Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon asked a state task force Tuesday to consider expanding online training for rural emergency medical service providers.

Simon is also chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. She said greater online training could improve recruitment and retention of paid and volunteer workers who must take 120 hours of continuing education every four years to remain certified.

According to Simon, rural emergency medical technicians often pay out-of-pocket for continuing education, which can require costly overnight travel and lost wages for volunteers who have to take time off from their regular jobs.

Simon's request came during a House EMS task force hearing at Galesburg City Hall. The 24-member House EMS task force, which is co-chaired by Reps. Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg) and Lisa Dugan (D-Kankakee), is holding public hearings across the state and will issue recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by the end of the year.

PERRY COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The American Red Cross has announced November blood drives for Southeast Missouri.

The Red Cross says all blood types are needed to help maintain a sufficient blood supply, especially O negative. They says Type O negative blood, the universal blood type, is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type.

November blood drives in Perry County include:

• Nov. 8 - Pinckneyville High School, 600 East Water in Pinckneyville, Ill. from 8:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Blood drives in Southern Illinois include:

• Nov. 7 - First United Methodist Church, 300 South 17th Street in Herrin, Ill. from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Nov. 9 - Illinois Dept. of Transportation, 2801 W. Murphysboro Rd. in Carbondale, Ill. from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Nov. 10 - Benton High School, 511 E. Main Street in Benton, Ill. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Nov.