It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) and the CDC wants to remind you it’s not too late to get your flu shot.
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One man said that he doesn’t think he has ever got a flu vaccination, and that he was not scared of getting the flu. In recent flu seasons between 80 percent and 90 percent of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older.
Ontario County has had its first official case of influenza, and more cases are sure to follow. All of our Volunteers and Contract Employees that will have direct patient contact are also required to furnish proof of flu shots or are required to wear a mask.
People from 6 months of age on up are eligible to get a flu vaccination.
Because flu viruses constantly change, the department added that an annual dose of vaccine is highly recommended. Some children develop a very high fever or complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and painful middle ear infection. “We know that receiving a flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu”. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.
Certain people are at greater risk for developing flu-related complications, including infants and children, seniors, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions.
Cover – cover your cough and sneeze.
Flu season here typically peaks around January or February, said Dr. Martha Buchanan, director of the Knox County Health Department.
“We’re not seeing the volumes that we were seeing in the past like say when H1N1 was being featured in the news”, said Richard Rego of Beacon Pharmacy, referring to the Swine Flu pandemic that swamped clinics a few years back.
Influenza, or the “flu”, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. “Now is the time to get vaccinated”.
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CDC has characterized 20 influenza viruses so far this flu season, and all have been found to be genetically similar to the viruses covered by the 2015-2016 flu vaccine. However, this year tests are indicating that there is a much better match between the vaccine and the circulating viruses which should give better protection.
