As the fall weather has arrived, the flu season has officially began. Although it may seem early, there has already been reported cases of patients testing positive for influenza in our area.
After the United States experienced one of the most severe flu seasons in recent decades, Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services is encouraging people to be proactive and get their flu vaccinations now.
Receiving the vaccine earlier still means that it will last the whole season, but it also gives your body enough time to build protection against the viruses before flu cases ramp up. It can take up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to build immunity, so make plans to get vaccinated now, before peak flu season begins.
There are many flu vaccination myths. Getting the vaccination does not give you the flu. Most people experience no symptoms after their vaccination. However, some people may get a mild reaction, such as redness and swelling around the area of the injection, which normally disappear within a few days.
Flu vaccines are developed every year based on the most likely strains to cause problems during the season. The vaccine isn’t always a perfect match, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers it the best guard you can put up against the illness. Even when the vaccine doesn’t perfectly align with the strains circulating in the community, it can still lessen the severity of the flu and limit its spread to more vulnerable populations. By getting vaccinated, you are protecting not only yourself, but others who are at risk for serious complications from the flu, like the elderly, young children and those with compromised immune systems who aren’t able to get vaccinated.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.
Protect yourself, your family and your community by getting a flu vaccine and by encouraging those you care about to also get vaccinated. Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services is offering flu vaccine clinics for children and adults as well as the option to walk in to any of the clinics at any time to receive a flu vaccine. For additional questions, you can call and speak to our clinic staff at (605) 326-5201. Get the shot, not the flu this flu season!
Flu Shot Clinic Dates:
Viborg Medical Clinic: Oct. 22 (4-7pm), Nov. 5 (4-7pm)
Parker Medical Clinic: Oct. 18 (3-5pm); Nov. 7 (3-5pm)
Centerville Medical Clinic: Oct. 23 (3-5pm)