The flu season has already begun and it is probably that time of year when you will be hearing a lot about getting your flu shot over and over again.
Public health officials always recommend getting your flu vaccine at this time of year, warning that this would probably be a bad flu season.
Experts often look at the Southern Hemisphere in order to see how severe the flu season was like to predict how severe it could be in the Northern Hemisphere.
Australia had experienced an early and aggressive flu season this year, suggesting how bad and severe flu season could be in the United States.
Erin Crace, Nurse Supervisor at the Ashland-Boyd County Health Department, said, “That is something we want to prepare for and encourage people to get their vaccine.”
Kentucky has already reported more than 200 flu cases this season. Crace said Boyd County has reported two confirmed cases of flu.
The registered nurse said, “We have seen some earlier cases. We haven’t had a lot of cases, but we have already started seeing cases which is why we are encouraging people to get their flu shot.”
Crace explained that people often have two misconceptions about the flu vaccine. First, the fact that the vaccine will not protect them from the entire season. Second, the flu vaccine itself can cause flu.
“The CDC says you should get it as soon as it’s available, and typically we here at our clinic start to give it mid-September,” said Crace. “You want to get that vaccine as soon as it’s available so it will protect you for the entire flu season.”
She explained that not getting the flu vaccine is a risk, stating, “It’s not just for the protection of yourself but also the ones you love.”
Crace said it is extremely important to get your flu shot before the start of the season because the vaccine needs some time to kick in. Anyone above six months should get the flu shot, according to the CDC.
