North Central Health District

Flu Season is Here, But it’s Not Too Late for a Flu Shot

Posted December 4, 2020 by Michael Hokanson

National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 6-12

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a call to all Americans 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine if they have not already. Since COVID-19 and flu could spread simultaneously this winter, this week serves to remind everyone that there is still time to get a flu vaccine to protect against flu and serious flu complications.

Getting a flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of getting sick, being hospitalized or dying from flu. In 2019-2020, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.52 million illnesses, 3.69 million medical visits, 105,000 hospitalizations and 6,300 deaths due to influenza. There’s still time during the 2020-2021 flu season to get your flu shot if you haven’t already so that you have one less thing to worry about. 

Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death.  Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, adults living in nursing home or other long-term care facilities, children younger than age 5, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions. It can prevent hospitalization and even be lifesaving.

Vaccines are available at your local county health department, physician’s office, urgent care, other healthcare providers and at many retail pharmacies, grocery stores and other businesses. Use VaccineFinder.org to find a vaccination location near you.

Find your local health department at NCHD52.org/Locations and make your appointment today. Most insurance plans completely cover the cost of flu shots. For those that are uninsured or underinsured, the health department’s regular flu shots are $25 and high dose shots (recommended for those age 65 and older) are $55. For more information on flu, visit NCHD52.org/flu.