The Iowa Department of Public Health has received reports of the first influenza-related death in an otherwise healthy Iowa child under the age of 17. Judi Van Hulzen, with Marion County Public Health says Marion County is in a region with 17 other counties, and the state has tracked 20.5% of the influenza rapid tests positive in our region. The predominant influenza strain detected this year has been H1N1, which is covered in this year’s vaccine. Van Hulzen says it is not too late to get vaccinated, and vaccine is plentiful this year, and can be obtained at your doctor’s office and most pharmacies. If your child is uninsured, or if your insurance doesn’t cover the flu vaccine, Public Health can vaccinate your child at no cost.