Say ‘Boo!’ to the flu

Halloween is just days away. Got your costume? Got your pumpkin? Got your flu shot? Flu season is creeping up, and the best way to protect against the flu virus is to get your annual flu shot, according to the Oneida County Health Department.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people get a flu vaccine by the end of October.

It takes a couple of weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in your body, so getting vaccinated before the peak of flu season is important, health department officials explained in a press release. Annual flu vaccines can prevent the flu, decrease the severity of symptoms, and help avoid serious complications for everyone; but it is especially important for the following groups:

• Children ages 6 months to 4 years.

• Adults 50 years and older.

• Nursing home residents.

• People with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease and lung disease.

• People who are immunosuppressed and those who are pregnant.

It is also important to remember to practice good hygiene to avoid getting and spreading the flu and other respiratory illnesses like COVID, RSV, and other colds. 

• Avoid close contact with sick people. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to avoid infecting them.

• If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever free for at least 24 hours.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

This season, flu and COVID vaccines are available at the Oneida County Health Department.

Appointments are not necessary. Walk-in hours for flu and COVID vaccines are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vaccinations are also available at outreach clinics throughout the county. For details, dates and locations, check out the Oneida County Facebook page, Instagram @oneidacountyhealthdept, website (www.oneidacountypublichealth.org) or call 715-369-6111 for more information.