What You Should Know for the 2018-2019 Flu Season
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to be protected from the flu and its potentially serious complications. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated this flu season.
Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk for developing flu complications, and their close contacts. CDC recommends that people who are at high risk for serious flu complications and who get flu symptoms during flu season be treated with flu antiviral drugs as quickly as possible without waiting for confirmatory testing.
Some children 6 months through 8 years of age will require two doses of flu vaccine for adequate protection from flu. Children in this age group who are getting vaccinated for the first time will need two doses of flu vaccine, spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Children who have only received one dose in their lifetime also need two doses.
Children younger than 6 months old are at high risk of serious flu complications, but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Because of this, safeguarding them from flu is especially important. Those who care for an infant younger than 6 months old along with anyone that comes in contact with the child, should get a flu vaccine to help protect them from flu.
In addition, studies have shown that flu vaccination of the mother during pregnancy can protect the baby after birth from flu infection for several months. In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine, everyday preventive actions can be taken such as staying away from sick people and washing hands to reduce the spread of germs. For those sick with the flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others. For those suffering from flu-related symptoms, make an appointment to talk with a healthcare provider about prescription medications called antiviral drugs that can be used to treat influenza illness.
Make an appointment to get vaccinated at Crossing Rivers Health Clinic in Prairie du Chien and Fennimore by calling 608.357.2500. Find more information about the flu vaccine at cdc.gov/flu. ###