KDHE: Now is the time for annual flu shot

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment urges all Kansans to receive an annual flu vaccination to provide the best protection against the respiratory influenza virus.

Dec. 4-10 is ?National Influenza Vaccination Week.? This observance serves as a reminder that all of us have a responsibility to prevent the spread of flu.

Although flu can occur at anytime, flu activity is generally highest in February and continues throughout early spring.

December is a great time to get vaccinated as the vaccine takes about two weeks to provide optimal protection. By getting vaccinated in early December you may decrease the risk of spreading the flu virus to your loved ones during the holidays.

Additionally, avoid spreading the flu virus by covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands and staying home when you are sick.

An average, 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu yearly, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications. In the 2009-10 flu season, 31 Kansans died from influenza. In the 2010-2011 flu season there were 14 deaths.

Older people, pregnant women, young children and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for serious flu complications. Serious complication of the flu can lead to pneumonia and even death.

Symptoms of the flu include: fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough and muscle aches. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydrating and may worsen other chronic conditions.

?The flu can be unpredictable, so it?s important to get vaccinated early,? said physician Robert Moser, who is KDHE secretary and state health officer.

?You may not be a person with one of the high risk conditions; however, when you are vaccinated, you are protecting those that are most vulnerable to serious disease.?

All persons six months and older are recommended to receive a flu vaccine. Anyone caring for, or in regular contact with, an infant less than six months of age should also be immunized.

Babies this age are too young to be vaccinated and are more vulnerable to the complications from influenza disease.

For information on receiving the flu vaccine, please contact your health care provider or the local health department. Visit kdheks.gov/flu for influenza facts.

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