At-Risk Groups Urged To Get Flu Shot Early
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Fall is just around the corner and so is flu season.
The Allegheny County Health Department is suggesting people get their vaccination now to avoid getting sick later.
The first thing they said you should know is that it is not quite flu season yet.
"This is the vaccination season for influenza. Now is the time to get your flu shot," Guillermo Cole of the Allegheny County Health Department said.
The Health Department is asking everyone to get this year's vaccination now, especially those in the at-risk groups.
"The vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. It's especially important though, for certain individuals who are at a high risk of complications from influenza to get the vaccine. That would be the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions. The vaccine available this year is just like vaccines that have been provided in past years," Cole said.
This year's flu season is expected to be normal. Last year's season ran from October to early spring and killed about 40,000 Americans.
However, can you get the vaccine too early?
"The vaccine does begin to wear off after three or four months of having it in your system. So, it's an individual call. You don't have to get your shot as soon as the doors open. The recommendation is to get it early enough so you have protection for the peak of the season," Cole said.
If you want to get your shot at the health department, they will begin administering them on Thursday.
Many local drug stores and local doctors already have the vaccine as well.
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