Health department shares flu shot facts

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all people six months and older get a flu shot. With so much information out there, vaccine information can be confusing. To help clarify, the Oneida County Health Department issued a press release outlining facts about why getting your flu shot is important.

• The flu can disrupt your work, school, and social life. The CDC reports that the flu can lead to complications like pneumonia, other infections, and even death, especially for people with compromised immune systems.

• A flu shot will not give you the flu. The viral strains within the flu shot are inactivated, which means they cannot cause illness. 

• The vaccine can help protect pregnant women and their babies for up to six months after birth. Pregnant women experience many changes to their bodies that may affect the immune system. They are especially susceptible to illness from the flu. 

• The flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can be spread from person to person. 

Choosing to get a flu shot can help protect yourself and the ones you love by stopping the spread of the flu, the release states

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are currently being offered at Oneida County Health Department. No appointments needed! Walk in any time between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Additional vaccine clinics will be held throughout the community; check out the Oneida County Facebook page, Instagram @oneidacountyhealthdept, website (www.oneidacountypublichealth.org) or call 715-369-6111 for details.

For RSV and pneumococcal vaccinations, call the Oneida County Health Department at 715-369-6111 to make an appointment.