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There's Still Time to Get Your Flu Vaccine

Liberty, NY – This winter, when you see signs reading, “Get Your Flu Vaccine,” you might ask, “Isn’t it too late to get vaccinated?” No, it’s not too late!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that flu vaccination efforts continue throughout the flu season. In fact, vaccination into December and beyond can be beneficial during most flu seasons, including this one.

“Flu season most often peaks between December and March, but activity can occur as late as May,” says Dr. Dan Jernigan, Director of the Influenza Division at CDC. “We are encouraging people who have not yet been vaccinated this season to get vaccinated now.”

“It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against influenza virus infection to develop in the body, so it’s best to get vaccinated early,” adds Sullivan County Public Health Director Nancy McGraw.

For millions of people every season, the flu means a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue, and miserable days spent in bed. Millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu each year.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu viruses.

Some people are at high risk for serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death, including pregnant women, children younger than 5 (especially those under 2 years old), people 65 year of age and older, and people who have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Vaccinating pregnant woman helps protect them from flu illness and hospitalization, and also has been shown to help protect the baby from flu infection for several months after birth, before the baby can be vaccinated.

“Getting the flu vaccine is simple, and it’s the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from the flu,” says Dr. Jernigan.

Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years, and there has been extensive research supporting the safety of seasonal flu vaccines. 

Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor’s offices, pharmacies and local health departments.

“And we will take those who are uninsured or cannot afford a copay at our Immunization Clinic the first Wednesday each month from 5-7 p.m. or by appointment,” notes Director McGraw. “For more information, please contact Sullivan County Public Health at 845-292-5910 x 0.”