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It might seem early to be thinking about the seasonal flu, but at least one local pharmacy has already started selling the new 2010-11 flu vaccine.
This year’s vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during the upcoming flu season.
The vaccine changes each year based on scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
The flu should be considered a serious illness. About 36,000 Americans die each year from complications from the seasonal flu and more than 200,000 are hospitalized.
Carter County Health Department Administrative Director Mendy Spohn said 43 Oklahomans died from the H1N1 virus last year.
“Getting a flu shot each year is the best and most important step in protecting against the flu,” she said.
Walgreens is now offering the new flu vaccine to everyone except children under 9. No prescription is required, and all the pharmacists are certified to give the shots. CVS/pharmacy has scheduled a flu clinic from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and Walmart will begin its own in-store flu clinics in a few weeks. County health departments are scheduled to begin immunizations around the first of October, and physicians and other health care providers are expected to offer vaccinations as well.
For the first time, public health officials are urging nearly everyone to get vaccinated this year. A yearly dose is recommended for virtually everyone except babies younger than 6 months — the shot isn’t approved for tots that young — and people with severe allergies to eggs. And there is even a new high-dose version for people 65 or older.
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness. Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, cough and sore throat. In many cases, antiviral medications can shorten the length of the illness. Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable to complications from the flu.
People who don’t get a flu shot put themselves at risk as well as others around them who may not have been vaccinated. Although it normally takes 10 to 14 days to reach full immunity after getting a shot, some protection occurs sooner. Getting a shot doesn’t guarantee you won’t get sick, but getting vaccinated significantly improves your odds of staying healthy.
It might seem early to be thinking about the seasonal flu, but at least one local pharmacy has already started selling the new 2010-11 flu vaccine.
This year’s vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during the upcoming flu season.
The vaccine changes each year based on scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
The flu should be considered a serious illness. About 36,000 Americans die each year from complications from the seasonal flu and more than 200,000 are hospitalized.
Carter County Health Department Administrative Director Mendy Spohn said 43 Oklahomans died from the H1N1 virus last year.
“Getting a flu shot each year is the best and most important step in protecting against the flu,” she said.
Walgreens is now offering the new flu vaccine to everyone except children under 9. No prescription is required, and all the pharmacists are certified to give the shots. CVS/pharmacy has scheduled a flu clinic from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and Walmart will begin its own in-store flu clinics in a few weeks. County health departments are scheduled to begin immunizations around the first of October, and physicians and other health care providers are expected to offer vaccinations as well.
For the first time, public health officials are urging nearly everyone to get vaccinated this year. A yearly dose is recommended for virtually everyone except babies younger than 6 months — the shot isn’t approved for tots that young — and people with severe allergies to eggs. And there is even a new high-dose version for people 65 or older.
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness. Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, cough and sore throat. In many cases, antiviral medications can shorten the length of the illness. Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable to complications from the flu.
People who don’t get a flu shot put themselves at risk as well as others around them who may not have been vaccinated. Although it normally takes 10 to 14 days to reach full immunity after getting a shot, some protection occurs sooner. Getting a shot doesn’t guarantee you won’t get sick, but getting vaccinated significantly improves your odds of staying healthy.
