ICYMI: Is Florida Ready for Flu Season 2016-17?

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Dr. Celeste Philip reported for her annual flu shot Thursday. As Florida’s State Surgeon General, she’s hoping others will take her lead and do the same.

“The flu vaccine is safe and remains the most effective way to protect against seasonal flu for anyone 6 months or older,” FDOH wrote in an email to media. “It takes about two weeks after vaccination to develop protection against the flu so it is important to get the flu shot early, preferably before Halloween.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes Philip’s advice. It recommends getting the vaccine now before flu season really takes hold later this month.

“Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations," according to a CDC statement.

To make it easier for Florida residents to find places to get the annual vaccine, FDOH has created a dedicated webpage. FluFreeFlorida.com contains information about the flu and provides a way for people to search for locations offering the vaccination this year.

National data from the 2015-16 flu season shows that 59.3 percent of children and teens received their flu shot — unchanged from the previous season. But most adults passed on their flu shot last year. Only 41.7 percent got the vaccine — lower numbers than the CDC found in the two previous seasons.

Two decades ago, flu shots were only recommended for older adults, notes William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

"We're at a critical milestone in the fight against influenza, and what we've learned over the past two decades is that, I wish it were true but it’s not, there's no magic bullet to get everyone vaccinated and to improve vaccination rates," Schaffner said at a press event last month. "That said, each of us can and must be part of the solution by working together to continue to increase awareness among the public and healthcare professionals alike, and by getting vaccinated ourselves."

Here's how state's ranked in percentage of population who received the flu vaccine. The national rate is 45.6

1. South Dakota, 56.6

2. Rhode Island, 56.1

3. Connecticut, 52.6

4. Iowa 51.8

5. Maryland, 51.7

6. New Hampshire, 50.9

6. North Carolina, 50.9

8. Delaware, 50.5

9. Massachusetts, 50.4

10. Hawaii, 50.2

11. Minnesota, 49.7

12. West Virginia, 49.6

13. Virginia, 49.5

14. Vermont, 49.2

15. Colorado, 49.1

15. Nebraska, 49.1

15. New York, 49.1

18. Maine, 49

19. North Dakota, 48.8

20. Pennsylvania, 48.2

21. Texas, 47.9

21. Washington, 47.9

23. District of Columbia, 47.6

24. Missouri, 47.4

24. New Mexico, 47.4

26. South Carolina, 46.9

27. Tennessee, 46.3

28. Oklahoma, 45.8

29. Arkansas, 45.4

30. New Jersey, 45.4

31. Kansas, 44.4

32. Kentucky, 44.2

33. Louisiana, 44

34. Alabama, 43.9

35. Montana, 43.8

35. Ohio, 43.8

37. California, 43.7

38. Utah, 43.5

39. Indiana, 43.2

40. Illinois, 42.9

41. Wisconsin, 42.7

42. Michigan, 42.2

43. Mississippi, 42.1

44. Oregon, 42

45. Arizona, 41.5

46. Georgia, 41.2

47. Florida, 39.5

48. Idaho, 39.2

49. Wyoming, 38.1

50. Alaska, 37.9

51. Nevada, 36.8

Flu vaccines this year will not be given through nasal sprays, due to recent studies questioning the method's effectiveness.

The flu bug begins to make the rounds in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and March and can last as late as May.

The CDC also offers a took people can use to find flu vaccine locations by Zip Code. Just enter your information below to find a clinic location:

Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Health

Patch editor Greg Hambrick contributed to this story.