It’s Time For Annual Flu Shots
By Lynne Bauer, RN
Flu shots are offered by numerous pharmacies, including Kmart, Walmart, Walgreen’s, and CVS, as well as at the Essentia and Mariner Mall Clinics. The vaccine can usually be obtained for $25 or less, and is commonly covered by insurance. (ES does not endorse a specific provider. Photo credit: Kmart)
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and liver or kidney disorders to name a few, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
The timing of the flu is very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Most seasonal flu activity typically occurs between October and May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available. Ideally this is by October to ensure as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins.
As long as flu viruses are circulating in the community, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
Along with getting vaccinated, you can take every day preventative actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, you should stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.
Flu vaccines are offered by many doctor’s offices, clinics, and pharmacies as well as by many employers. Here at the School District of Superior we have flu vaccine clinics for our employees and their family as well as for retired employees. The flu clinics are offered at every school building over several days in October so that employees can protect themselves from getting the flu. This is one more way we try to provide a benefit from our insurance plan to make it easier for our employees to get a flu shot.
Lynne Bauer, RN, is the Director of Health Services at the School District of Superior
