(Wampsville, NY – Dec. 2015) National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 6 to 12 reminds us of the importance of continuing flu vaccination through theholiday season into January and beyond. While people tend to be in a hurry to get their flu vaccination when the vaccine becomes available in the fall, influenza vaccination activity tends to drop quickly after the end of November.
It is important to know that it is not too late to get the flu vaccine. As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness,which typicallyoccurs into May, vaccination can provide protection against the flu and should continue.Even unvaccinated people who have already gotten sick with one flu virus can still benefit from vaccination since the flu vaccine protects against three or four different flu viruses expected tocirculate each season. This season’s vaccines are updated to better match current circulating viruses.
A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza disease. It’s especially important for pregnant women, children younger than 5 years old, adults age 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, or heart disease to get vaccinated each year because they are more at risk for developing flu-related complications.
Each year, the flu causes people to experience a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, chills, and miserable days spent in bed. While every flu season is different and unpredictable, the seasonal flu can be serious, even deadly for some people.
Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work or school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. The vaccine is a safe way to protect yourself from the flu and potentially serious complications, like pneumonia.
Neither the flu shot nor the nasal spray vaccine can give you the flu. The most common side effects from a flu shot are a sore arm and maybe a low fever or achiness. The soreness is often caused by a person’s immune system making protective antibodies that allows the body to fight against flu.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine might cause congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or cough. If you do experience these side effects at all, they are usually mild and short-lived, lasting 1-2 days after vaccination.
If you haven’t already been immunized for the flu, get your flu vaccination to protect you and your family now. “We recommend you go to your own doctor to get a flu shot,” says Eric Faisst, Madison County Public Health Director. If that’s not possible, flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including pharmacies and local health departments.
The Madison County Health Department will be holding Flu and Immunization Clinics at 138 N. Court St., Bldg. 5, Wampsville on:
December 4 (Friday), 8:30-11:30 am
December 11 (Friday), 12:30-3:30 pm
December 16 (Wednesday), 3:30-5:30 pm
December 18 (Friday), 8:30-11:30 am
To schedule an appointment visit, www.healthymadisoncounty.org or call 315-366-2848.