5 Things To Know About The Flu Vaccine As Cases Rise: Rockland County

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said flu cases are rising and health officials in Rockland County are urging everyone to get a flu shot to stay safe.

According to the latest flu forecast data, the CDC estimates over 1.2 million cases so far this season. Every flu season is different, but cases generally peak in February.

With the arrival of the holiday season, there is more time to spend with your family and friends, but that can also mean the spread of flu. While most recover from the seasonal flu, infection can lead to serious illness, especially among certain higher risk groups, such as pregnant people and children. County health officials say getting a flu shot is the best way to reduce your risk from flu for everyone, high-risk or not.

Rockland County health officials offered five things everyone should know about flu vaccination as the flu season builds.

1. Flu shots benefit not only you, but also your family and your community. The most important action to protect yourself against flu is getting a flu vaccine each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine to reduce your risk of getting flu and lessen its symptoms if you do get sick. Getting vaccinated against flu can also help protect loved ones, like adults 65 years and older and people living with chronic conditions, both groups of people who are at higher risk of having serious flu complications.
2. Flu shots benefit pregnant people and babies. Flu can be especially serious for pregnant people because of changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy that can make them more vulnerable to flu and its potentially severe complications. The good news? Getting a flu vaccine can reduce your risk of getting flu and lessen flu symptoms if you do get sick both during and after pregnancy. A flu shot during pregnancy also can help protect your baby from flu for several months after birth, when they're too young to be vaccinated themselves.
3. Flu shots benefit young children. Children younger than 5 years old – especially those younger than 2 – and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions, like asthma and diabetes, are at a higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Because these groups of children are at higher risk, it is especially important they get a flu vaccine to reduce their risk of getting sick or being hospitalized or dying from flu if they do get sick.
4. Flu vaccines are safe and effective – Every year, experts update flu vaccines as needed to best protect against the viruses expected to spread during the upcoming season. During seasons when the vaccine viruses are well-matched to the viruses that are spreading, the flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness by 40 to 60 percent. And if someone who is vaccinated gets sick, vaccination has been shown to reduce the severity of illness, reducing the risk of serious flu outcomes. Flu most commonly peaks in February, and significant flu activity can continue into May.
5. You have choices on which flu vaccine to get and where to get it, including at your health care provider's office, at work, a pharmacy, some stores, or even supermarkets.

Visit the CDC website to learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated against flu.