Hospitals across New York state are bracing for the flu season, which could keep them busier than usual because of the nationwide vaccine shortage, state health officials said Tuesday.

    Some hospitals are using strategies they learned from SARS to prepare for the influenza season. Community General Hospital in Syracuse, for instance, has designated part of its third floor for flu patients if there is heavy flu activity.

    Last years, flu season started early and hit hard, particularly in the western part of the United States. More than 36,000 people nationwide died from the flu last year.

    Except a few flu-related deaths in the state, there has been little flu activity statewide this season.

    But a top official at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that the flu is one of the most unpredictable illnesses, so people should not feel secure just because it has been a mild season so far.