The beautiful fall-like weather can sometimes lead us to forget the season will be changing soon. But another season is also arriving soon and it’s time to prepare says an Oneida County Community Health Specialist.
Flu season can run anywhere from October to May and peaks during December to February.
Maria Otterholt says the best time to get a flu vaccination is as soon as it’s available…
“….The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not only getting your flu shot once per year, but as soon as the vaccine becomes available. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to build those antibodies in your system and protect you from the flu…..”
Beginning this week, Oneida county and other health departments in the region have gotten in the first of this year’s vaccine. She says some target groups should bet the vaccination…
“…Young children are really susceptible, anyone under the age of 18, actually, is more susceptible. Anyone who is pregnant, an older individual. Anyone who works in a retirement home or assisted living facilities where those older individuals are, they’re at a higher risk. It’s important to get your flu vaccination, especially if you’re in the higher-risk population….”
The flu shot is recommended annually because of decreasing antibodies over the year and changes in the flu virus from year-to-year.
Otterholt says there will be several flu clinics across Oneida county in September and October, beginning with a clinic September 19 at the Sloan Community Building in Lake Tomahawk from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. The times and locations for the remaining nine clinics are available by contacting the Oneida County Health Department or going to their Facebook page.
