Thursday, February 23, 2017

Flu is here, and it’s widespread. Get vaccinated.

Want more public health memes?
It’s official: the flu is more widespread than Bieber fever.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu is widespread throughout most of the U.S. and case counts have been increasing. Serious influenza activity was reported in 46 states and Puerto Rico as of Feb. 11, says CDC’s weekly FluView report.

From October to mid-February, more than 8,222 people had been hospitalized in the U.S. because of the flu. Tragically, at least 29 children have died from flu this season. The flu can cause serious illness in children under 5 and adults over age 65, as well as pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions. But, just like Bieber’s sweet jams, everyone is susceptible.

Annual vaccinations are the best way to prevent flu and its complications. Yearly flu shots are recommended for everyone ages 6 months or older, so if you’re not a baby — baby,baby, baby, ohhhhh — then ask your doctor or local pharmacist about getting a flu vaccine.

For this flu season, CDC recommends that your vaccine come in the form of the flu shot. The nasal spray flu vaccine shouldn’t be used this year, because it wasn’t shown to be effective.

It might be too late now to say sorry, but it’s not too late to get your flu shot and protect yourself, your family and your community from the flu! 

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