Gov. Markell receives flu shot at New Castle Farmers Market

With this year’s flu shot tweaked to offer more protection than last year’s formula, health officials are calling on everyone to get vaccinated now.

Flu season has taken off. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu season runs from October until May, and doctors are pushing folks to get their vaccines early. Nationally, thousands of people die from influenza each year, majority over age 65. More than 76 million doses of 2015-16 flu vaccine have been distributed so far.

Last year was dubbed “a bad year for flu” due to a mutated strain of Type A flu – known as H3N2 – that the vaccine did not protect against. On average, 20,000 children annually are hospitalized with the flu.

Flu vaccine is recommended for anyone ages 6 months and older, but it’s particularly a good idea for people with chronic lung conditions, such as asthma, said Tammie Weyker, spokeswoman for the Tulare County health department.

Flu season is now, occurring between October and May each year.

Last flu season, 146 children lost their lives to the illness. It peaks between December and February.

Students at every school in Rhode Island can receive flu vaccine free of charge at a vaccination clinic organized for their school, many of which are also open to members of the public.

Although the Onondaga County Health Department told us today they have not yet received their supply of FluMist – they do not want anyone to wait too long to get vaccinated. “Please help protect your community this flu season; get the vaccine”.

“It takes about two weeks after vaccination to become fully protected so get everyone in your family vaccinated as soon as possible”, he said.

The department says vaccines will be available during walk-in clinic hours at both the Marion and Benton locations beginning Monday, November 2.

Many people believe getting the shot could cause the illness, but health officials say that is not true, because the shot uses a dead virus.

“This year this vaccine is clearly been proven to be a better match for the strain that is circulating in our community”, Dr. John Walker, a Stanislaus County Public Health officer said. Insured children with vaccine coverage who have high copays or deductibles are no longer considered underinsured.