Home » Brevard County Health Department Reminds Residents to Get Flu Shot Before Height of Upcoming Flu Season

Brevard County Health Department Reminds Residents to Get Flu Shot Before Height of Upcoming Flu Season

By  //  October 12, 2019

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'The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine'

The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County is reminding all Floridians to get their flu shot before the height of the upcoming flu season. Flu activity can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County is reminding all Floridians to get their flu shot before the height of the upcoming flu season.

Flu activity can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

The best way to avoid the flu this season by getting a flu shot soon.

“You can protect yourself and others from getting the flu,” said Maria Stahl, DOH-Brevard Administrator.

“First and foremost, get vaccinated. In addition, you should avoid others who are sick, stay home if you are sick yourself, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.”

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. It can take up to two weeks after vaccination to develop protection against the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu vaccine every year as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza and its potentially serious complications.

There are many different flu vaccine options this season, which include high dose and adjuvanted vaccine for adults aged 65 years and older.

“You need to get a flu shot every year,” said Maria Stahl, DOH-Brevard Administrator. “Flu viruses are constantly changing and flu vaccines may be updated from one season to another. Plus, your body’s level of immunity from a previous flu vaccine is expected to have declined.”
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CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine every year because flu viruses evolve quickly, and last year’s vaccine may not protect against the current year’s flu strain.

Even if the flu vaccine does not fully protect against the flu, it may reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of complications.

Getting vaccinated if you are healthy helps to protect our most vulnerable populations.

People at higher risk for flu-related complications include children less than 5, adults over the age of 65, people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and people who have existing medical conditions, such as asthma and obesity.

DOH-Brevard offers flu vaccines for children ages 6 months through 18 years of age at each of our clinic locations in Melbourne, Viera, and Titusville.

For more information on influenza and influenza-like illness in Florida, CLICK HERE

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