The holiday season is here. That means more time to spend with your children, family, and friends. However, as holiday cheer spreads, so can flu, with potentially serious complications. Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to stay protected against flu.

The flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu illness:

-Can make illness less severe among people who get vaccinated, but still get sick with flu, reducing the risk of serious flu complications, such as hospitalization

-Can be given at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, for people who are due for both

-Protects against four different flu viruses - even if a patient has already gotten flu, other flu viruses are circulating and it’s possible to get flu more than once a season

Groups at higher risk of serious illness from flu include:

Adults 65 Years and Older

-Nine out of 10 people hospitalized with flu in recent years had at least one underlying health condition (Asthma, Heart Disease & Stroke, Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease)

Children under 5

-Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children, and healthy children 5 years and older can spread flu to vulnerable family members like infants younger than 6 months and adults over 65

During Pregnancy

-Due to changes to the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make people more susceptible to potentially serious flu complications. Flu may also be harmful for a developing baby.

If you have not received your flu vaccine yet please call the Board of Health at 508-748-3530 to schedule an appointment. We have plenty of regular dose flu vaccine available and a limited supply of high-dose flu vaccine (65 and older).

For a weekly flu report please click HERE.

For information on what to do if you get sick please click HERE.

Any questions please call the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530.