Editorial: Not too late to get a flu shot

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 3, 2022

It is not too late to get a flu shot.

The stress on the health care system by a very active flu season, persistent COVID-19 and an increase in RSV patients is palpable but the biggest concern is your health and well being.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says September and October are generally the best times to take the flu vaccine, it is not too late to get one now, and if you got a flu shot early in the season, you might want to talk to your health care provider about a second flu shot.

Here are the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for flu shots:

• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.

• While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common.

• Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year before flu activity begins in their community.

• Vaccination of high-risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.

• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

• Vaccination also is important for health care workers and other people who live with or care for high-risk people to keep from spreading flu to them.

• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.

It should also be remembered that the hospital emergency room is not the first line of defense for battling the flu.

A visit to a primary health care physician or after-hours clinic may be necessary if symptoms warrant but the emergency room should be reserved for emergencies. Fortunately, many of the same practices we have had to get used to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will also help prevent the spread of the flu — that is if we simply follow the guidelines.