Bad Year for Flu?

Flu season got under way early this year with widespread activity in four states by November. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it could be a rough year due to the early activity and because a more virulent strain – influenza H3N2 – is circulating.

Approximately 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with the flu, and deaths from flu-related complications like pneumonia reach the tens of thousands. Historically, H3N2 has been found to cause more severe symptoms than other strains.

The best protection against flu is getting a seasonal flu vaccine. It is developed each year to protect against the three virus strains predicted to be most prevalent during the season based on international flu surveillance and scientific estimation. This year, the vaccine is an approximate 90 percent match to the circulating strains.

People who have not already received a vaccine are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible, especially those in or those in contact with high-risk groups: pregnant women, children, people older than 65 and those with respiratory illnesses and other medical conditions.

Your best defense against flu only takes minutes. Walk in now or schedule an appointment for a flu vaccine.

Employers: Encourage your workers to drop by any CareSpot location. Or, contact us to set up a flu vaccine clinic at your job site.