With the arrival of fall and cooler temperatures, the dreaded season for influenza is in full swing.

“Our lab actually begins tracking the number of flu tests done in our emergency department in September and we watch the trends and compare them to the previous year,” Cullman Regional Vice President of Marketing Lindsey Dossey said. “We are starting to see more testing; however, we still have relatively low positive tests with an average of about one per week consistently for approximately nine weeks.”

Cullman Regional Family Care Clinic Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. throughout November (minus Thanksgiving Day). The Cullman Regional Family Care Clinic is hosting a Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic throughout November. Most major insurance providers will cover the cost of the vaccination, Dossey said. 

The flu shot is available for ages 6 and older with limited pediatric vaccinations available. High-dosage shots are available for ages 65 and over, which are covered by Medicare. The Cullman Regional Family Care Clinic is located on the Cullman Regional campus, Professional Office Building 1, 4th Floor and Suite 450. Walk-ins are accepted for the Flu Shot Clinic dates and times only. For more information, contact the Cullman Regional Family Care Clinic at 256-735-5075 or visit online at www.CullmanRegionalFamilyCare.com.

Cullman Regional Urgent Care Pharmacy is also offering flu shots. Standard flu shots and high dose shots are available for patients age 8 and older, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. No appointment is needed, Dossey said.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Getting vaccinated is the first and most important step in preventing this illness.

In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine, preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs are recommended. Anyone sick with flu should stay home from work or school to prevent spreading the virus to others. In addition, there are prescription medications called antiviral drugs that can be used to treat influenza illness.

Other tips concerning flu prevention and treatment recommended through Cullman Regional include:

— Encourage loved ones to get vaccinated. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk for developing flu complications, and their close contacts. Also, if a loved one is at high risk of flu complications and develop flu symptoms, encourage that person to get a medical evaluation for possible treatment with flu antiviral drugs. These drugs work best if given within 48 hours of when symptoms start. CDC recommends that people who are at high risk for serious flu complications and who get flu symptoms during the season be treated with antiviral drugs as quickly as possible without waiting for confirmatory testing. People who are not at high risk for serious flu complications may also be treated with flu antiviral drugs, especially if treatment can begin within 48 hours.

— Yes. Some children 6 months through 8 years of age will require two doses of flu vaccine for adequate protection from flu. Children in this age group who are getting vaccinated for the first time will need two doses of flu vaccine, spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Children who have only received one dose in their lifetime also need two doses. Your child’s doctor or other health care professional can tell you if your child needs two doses of flu vaccine.

— Children younger than 6 months old are at high risk of serious flu complications, but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Because of this, safeguarding them from flu is especially important. If you live with or care for an infant younger than 6 months old, you should get a flu vaccine to help protect them from flu. Everyone else who is around the baby also should be vaccinated. Also, studies have shown that flu vaccination of the mother during pregnancy can protect the baby after birth from flu infection for several months.

— Multiple studies conducted over different seasons and across flu vaccine types and influenza virus subtypes have shown that the body’s immunity to influenza viruses (acquired either through natural infection or vaccination) declines over time. The decline in antibodies is influenced by several factors, including the antigen used in the vaccine, the age of the person being vaccinated, and the person’s general health (for example, certain chronic health conditions may have an impact on immunity). Older people and others with weakened immune systems may not generate the same amount of antibodies after vaccination; further, their antibody levels may drop more quickly when compared to young, healthy people.

The Alabama Department of Public Health also reports there is updated fly vaccine and many vaccine options available. The flu’s peak activity usually occurs between December and February, but could start earlier or extend later. 

In the 2017-2018 flu season, there was widespread activity for three months, which was longer than usual. As of October 27, a total of 185 pediatric deaths for the 2017-2018 season have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with approximately 80 percent of these deaths occurring in children who did not receive a flu shot for the season.