Preparing for Flu Season: Getting Ahead of the Virus

Now, as with any medical treatment, it’s true that the flu shot can have side effects.

“Getting vaccinated early in the fall helps to reduce the chances residents may get sick the flu before the vaccine is able to provide full protection”, she said.

Abram Regional Health Center are partnering to offer flu shot vaccines to students of MSAD #58 and adult community members as well.

It’s an easy way for employees to protect themselves and their co-workers from an illness that annually sends more than 3 million Americans to the doctor, hospitalizes 200,000 and kills at least 3,000.

The CDC said this year’s vaccine is expected do a better job of protecting you. The vaccine could result in minor side effects, including redness and swelling at the injection site, and is not recommended for those with a history of severe allergic reactions to eggs.

Flu shots are available in Sebastian County at 3112 S. 70th St.in Fort Smith.

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is urging the public to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible.

Madera County Health Director Van Do-Reynoso’s take-home message: “Vaccine is the only reliable way for people to be protected against the flu and transmitting it to others, perhaps to the vulnerable – the children and the seniors”. In Illinois, the flu season starts in October and can last into May.

“Each year, when you get the flu shot, you’re getting our best guess of what’s going to be here this season”, Sanders said.

The CDC says this year’s vaccine will protect against three viruses, two A and one B strain. Ages 8-49 can get the nasal spray vaccine, while everyone else should get the injection. Since the exact flu viruses are nearly never the same, the strains used to make the vaccine change each year, which is why people need to get a new flu vaccine annually.

Young children, older adults, and people with other conditions like asthma, heart disease, and weakened immune systems are at especially high risk of developing complications from the flu that can lead to hospitalization or death. It was those two strains that most often made people sick previous year, even those who had been vaccinated.

“The shot is very good at preventing the flu over all if you look at long term”.