The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccination for the general population, especially the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Individuals with COPD, asthma, and diabetes may be particularly susceptible to the flu.
An annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect you and your family from the flu. Ideally, people should be vaccinated before flu activity begins, but there is still time to be vaccinated and develop immunity from flu strains circulating in Kentucky this year. The local health department recommends people get vaccinated as soon as possible. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu virus infection.
The department says flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized from flu complications, like pneumonia. Most children who die from flu have not been vaccinated.
Marshall County Health Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Brown urges anyone who has not been vaccinated this year to do so as soon as possible.
"The flu is still widespread. Not just in our county, but in the whole state, as well as other parts of the country," Brown said. "It is not too late to get a flu shot if you have not gotten one up to this point."
Brown says if you are sick, it's a good idea to stay away from crowds and family members, and anyone who may have a compromised immune system. She says washing hands often with hot soapy water and covering your mouth when sneezing are also effective tools to prevent the spread of sickness. For those already infected who want to lessen symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu, antivirals such as Tamiflu can also be useful according to Brown.
The Marshall County Health Department is offering the flu vaccine for $25.00. Brown says most insurance companies cover the cost of the flu vaccine.
