Flu Shot Recommended Now By Calif. Health Officials

SAN JOSE, CA -- Health officials warn there are scarier things than ghosts and goblins around Halloween. This is the time they suggest American citizens above the age of six months and even pregnant women get their flu shots -- and for good reason if the past is any indicator.

The flu has begun circulating in California, according to state health officials, with 12 cases confirmed during the most recent reporting week of Sept. 30 through Oct. 6. Ten of the cases were Type A while the remaining two were Type B. There have been no hospitalizations or deaths, but confirmation that flu is in California gives residents more urgency to get vaccinated. Flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads by coughing, sneezing or direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surface.

The flu season generally starts in October or November, peaks between December and February, and can continue until May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The flu killed 79,400 people last season (183 children) in what turned out to be most lethal flu epidemic to hit in decades, the CDC estimated based on lab-confirmed tests. In comparison, the overall burden of influenza for the 2016-2017 season was an estimated 30 million illnesses, amounting to 51,000 flu-associated deaths

About 900,000 were hospitalized last season. For those fortunate enough not to die or end up in the hospital, some people were laid up for weeks and weeks with a memorable experience of symptoms such as aches and pains, along with a pounding head and a cough-up-a-lung tickle that lasted a long time.

The flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of the illness as well as eliminate more serious outcomes if one were to get it. A first of its kind, a CDC study last year revealed the vaccination may cut the chance of getting "children with underlying high-risk medical conditions" in half (51 percent). For healthy children, the risk level was cut by nearly two-thirds at 65 percent. The research has carried over into a sub-study evaluating people over age 65, children under 5 and pregnant women.

The research on children is especially notable as health officials are quite aware that a segment of the population has chosen to opt out of vaccinations. There's also a sentiment claiming the flu shot gives one the flu. Vaccines today are made with killed viruses. The notion doesn't add up for wellness officials, notably the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

"I want to be very clear -- the flu shot will not give you the flu. However, some people may catch the flu despite having had the shot," said Dr. Sara Cody, the Santa Clara County Health Officer. Cody explained that someone may have been exposed to the flu strain before the vaccine has had sufficient time to work.

Like a lot of people, Cody, shown here, looks away from the needle going in but insists she routinely receives it.

The most important advice health officials provide to guard against the flu is "wash your hands."

--Image via Shutterstock, YouTube video courtesy of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.