Flu Vaccinations

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)-October officially marks the start of flu season, and Many local health care providers are offering flu shot clinics.

Shots are readily available to prevent the spread of the flu, and health officials say the sooner you get the shot the better.

“Peak season is December, January, February, but we go ahead and vaccinate now because sometimes it takes the vaccine a couple of weeks for the antibiotics to build up in the body,” Kroger Pharmacist Amy Abernethy said.

And Health officials are urging everyone over the age of six months to get vaccinated now while it’s early.

“We are starting to see some flu cases now even though the peaks of flu season is December, January, February, we are seeing some cases now,” Abernethy said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi is one of 22 States with a high influenza rating.

People with chronic health conditions, and those who work with the public are more vulnerable to the flu and are urged to get the vaccination.

“The people that are most susceptible to to the flu complications are pregnant women, people like young children, and especially our older people,” Abernethy said.

Flu season typically runs from October until May.

This year’s vaccination protects from four strains of the Flu, two “A” strains, and 2 “B” strains.

“The flu shot is different from year to year, because the CDC does a study to try and determine which flu strain will be prevalent in that year, so every year the vaccine will be different,” she said.

Of course, no one wants to come in contact with the flu, thankfully there are ways to avoid passing or catching the flu.

“Keep your hands washed with soap and water, stay away from sick people, if you’re sick try to stay at home unless you go to the doctor’s office, cover your mouth when you’re coughing and sneezing and clean contaminated surfaces,” Abernethy said.

Flu Vaccinations are available at no cost through most insurance plans, and those without health insurance can still get flu shots at their local pharmacies.

Local businesses in Columbus that’s offering flu shots include:  Rite Aid, Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, Fred’s. KMart, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Children’s Health Center  and Robert’s Apothecary Ltd.