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Experts encourage public to get flu shots

By Jamie Lampros - Special to the Standard-Examiner | Sep 10, 2022

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

A sign advertising flu shots sits at the intersection of 12th Street and Washington Boulevard in Ogden on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.

Fall is just around the corner, which means cooler temperatures and more indoor mingling. If you want to avoid getting sick, it’s time to think about the influenza vaccine.

Between now and October is the perfect time to get the jab, local health officials said. This year’s vaccine will have four influenza strains –A strains H1N1 and H3N2 and B strains Yamagata and Victoria.

“The good news is you can get your flu vaccine and your COVID vaccine at the same time,” said Trevor Warner, communications manager for the Davis County Health Department. “So far, we’ve heard the flu may hit a little harder this year, so it’s very important to start thinking about getting the vaccine. We will also be holding vaccine events in the near future.”

Janelle Delgadillo, flu epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, said 1,024 people were hospitalized with influenza last year — which is about on par with past seasons — not including the 2019-2020 COVID pandemic year where influenza was practically unseen.

“Last year was really interesting,” she said. “Typically we start to see the season start off slow and then we see a peak around January and February. Last year we had a peak around January, then it dipped in February and peaked again in March. That’s not super typical for the flu season.”

Influenza can cause sore throat, cough, fever and body aches and can have a rapid onset. Complications can include pneumonia and even death. Those at risk for severe complications include children under the age of 5, those over 65 and people with chronic medical conditions and weak immune systems, Delgadillo said.

Amy Carter, Weber Morgan Health Department communicable disease and epidemiology nurse, said people can start getting their vaccine at local pharmacies, health departments and some medical clinics.

“We will also be kicking off our fly campaign soon and will be having a drive through clinic as well as going to schools and giving them to the kids,” Carter said.

Experts agreed that the best way for anyone to avoid severe illness, hospitalizations and death is to get the vaccine, which typically takes about two weeks to take full effect. Even if you aren’t in a high risk category, Carter said, influenza can be miserable and put you down for a couple of weeks.

“It’s a very safe and effective vaccine and you can either get it along with the new COVID booster or you can get it in a separate shot,” she said.

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