Flu Shot Now Available

Or, you can use the CDC’s Health Map Vaccine Finder to locate where to get a flu vaccine.

“Flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Newsweek reports that public health officials have made sure this year’s vaccine is more effective.

The vaccine should be a better match, according to CDC.

Manufacturers try to determine if the same flu strains will make their way to us in the Northern Hemisphere.

“So far it looks like [the virus and vaccine] will be well matched, and that usually means the efficacy rate will be better”, Itskowitz said.

The Tennessee Department of Health is reminding everyone to get a flu vaccine now as flu season descends upon us.

Anyone can get the flu. “It still works for a certain percentage of the population”. Despite that, less than 50 percent of people do, said Pan of Alameda County.

“A newer study indicated there might be a few waning of immunity at six months, mostly for those over the age of 65”, Yourdon said. When available, the nasal spray vaccine (LAIV) should be used for healthy children aged 2 through 8 years unless the child has a condition that contraindicates the vaccine.

“Infants can not get vaccinated, ” said Pan. “The only thing predictable about influenza is that it’s unpredictable”, Fry says.

Skiff Home Care and Jasper County Public Health are holding three flu clinics in the month of October. The vaccine is called quadrivalent because it offers protection against four different flu viruses that research shows will be most common during the flu season: two influenza (flu) A viruses and two influenza B viruses.

In the 2014-15 flu season, there were 55,383 reported flu cases in Pennsylvania, according to statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family”, said Acting State Health Director Dr. Megan Davies.