On Wednesday the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announced that although previously restricted due to limited supplies, influenza vaccine may now be administered by local health agencies to anyone who seeks it. ODH has been informed by local entities, which asked for the restrictions to be lifted, that high-risk residents such as the elderly and chronically ill have already been inoculated for the November to mid-March flu season. "High-risk individuals who wanted flu shots have likely found them," ODH Director Dr. J. Nick Baird said in a statement. "Although there may be some pockets of need, we want to ensure the public health vaccine is utilized." ODH historically limits the publicly funded vaccines to those most in need, and the agency originally ordered fewer doses for this year due to increased costs. Ohio has reported "sporadic influenza activity" to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to ODH. Pneumonia, a common complication associated with the flu, kills 3,000 Ohioans each year.