This year’s flu season is approaching, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommend that everyone 6 months or older get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
Most people can get the vaccine by scheduling an appointment with their health care provider or simply walking into their pharmacy. It takes about two weeks to develop antibodies that protect against flu, so make plans to get vaccinated before flu season begins.
CDC recommends that anyone 6 months of age or older get a flu vaccine by the end of October so that it has time to become effective.
The period of 2018-2019 was a moderate-severity flu season that lasted a record 21 weeks. Every flu season is different, but each year millions of children get sick, thousands are hospitalized, and some die from flu.
The flu vaccine does not cause influenza, which is a contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat and lungs.
Aside from getting a vaccine, you can protect yourself and others this flu season by washing your hands often, avoiding people who are ill, staying home if you become sick, and taking antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
Frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid acquiring or transmitting many illnesses, including influenza. Also make sure to disinfect surfaces at home and at work, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wood County Health Department provides flu immunization for children 18 or under whose health care providers do not offer vaccines. For more information, call 419-354-8402 ext. 3258.
Wood County Community Health Center offers the flu vaccine to established patients. To become a patient or for more information, call 419-354-9049 or visit WCHealthCenter.org.
The mission of Wood County Health Department is to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles and protect the health of everyone in Wood County. Our Community Health Center provides comprehensive medical services for men, women and children. We welcome all patients, including uninsured or underinsured clients, regardless of their ability to pay, and we accept most third-party insurance. For more information, visit WoodCountyHealth.org
