Health experts are expecting a close match between the flu shot vaccine and strain of the virus surfacing this year
It’s not even winter, yet the flu season has officially started. The Southeast, specifically, Georgia has seen a huge increase in cases just recently in school aged kids. The good news is that the flu strains that are going to be circulating this year seem to be a close match for this year’s vaccine.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has designated next week as National Influenza Vaccination Week in an effort to get more people vaccinated. Currently about 1 in 3 Americans have gotten the flu shot. That’s a little above average compared to last year at this time.
The flu usually peaks in the months of January and March, so even though it seems to be off to slow start, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC warned not to be fooled. The flu will indeed come.
This year, for the first time, officials are strongly urging everyone to get vaccinated. For those not comfortable getting a shot, there is a nasal spray option this year.
The vaccine is plentiful this year, offering no excuses to not protect yourself against the flu. It’s hard to say how hard the flu is going to hit this year, but with the Southeast already experiencing it, the time is now to get vaccinated.
