This is National Influenza Vaccination Week

This is National Influenza Vaccination Week.  The observance is scheduled to encourage people who have not gotten a flu shot yet to do so.

Experience from past years shows that flu vaccinations drop quickly after the end of November.  Even though the holiday season has arrived, it is NOT too late to get a flu vaccine. 

It is recommended that EVERYONE 6 months of age and older receive a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza disease.  The flu shots are especially recommended for people who are at high risk for developing flu-related complications--young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, and people age 65 years of age or older.

In addition to recommending that you get a flu shot, health officials are also encouraging people to cover their cough, stay away from sick people and wash their hands often to prevent the spread of the flu.