Even though it doesn't feel like winter yet, flu season is right around the corner. Consult with your doctor to see if the flu shot is right for you in preventing illness for the 2016-2017 flu season. Whether you choose to get the shot or not, be sure to take extra precautions in staying well this winter. Below are recommendations and answers to common questions regarding the flu vaccine from the CDC website.
New Flu Information for 2016-2017*
New Flu Information for 2016-2017*
Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from flu, including older people, very young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.
What’s new this flu season?
- Only injectable flu shots are recommended this season.
- Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses.
- There will be some new vaccines on the market this season.
- The recommendations for vaccination of people with egg allergies have changed.
When and how often should I get vaccinated?
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year by the end of October, if possible. However, getting vaccinated later is OK. Vaccination should continue throughout the flu season, even in January or later. Some children who have received flu vaccine previously and children who have only received one dose in their lifetime, may need two doses of flu vaccine. A health care provider can advise on how many doses a child should get.
*Center for Disease Control and Prevention- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2016-2017.htm
Getting vaccinated before flu activity begins helps protect you once the flu season starts in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body’s immune response to fully respond and for you to be protected so make plans to get vaccinated.
Where can I get a flu vaccine?
Flu vaccines are offered by many doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even by some schools.
Even if you don’t have a regular doctor or nurse, you can get a flu vaccine somewhere else, like a health department, pharmacy, urgent care clinic, and often your school, college health center, or work.
Flu shots are available now at the following Oakland County Health Division offices:
North Oakland Health Center
1200 N. Telegraph, Building 34 East, Pontiac
Daily office hours are Monday, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
South Oakland Health Center
27725 Greenfield Rd, Southfield
Daily office hours are Monday, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
What are other steps that can be taken to prevent flu illness?
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu–like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Also, antiviral medications, which can treat flu illness, may be used in certain circumstances to prevent the flu.
*Center for Disease Control and Prevention- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2016-2017.htm
