It’s time again for flu vaccines

FILE - Influenza season is upon us in Utah, and state health officials are urging residents to get a flu shot to help to protect themselves against a potentially deadly disease. Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It’s time to get a flu shot and Lisa Perkins, immunization and flu program manager for the Bear River Health Department, says there is plenty of flu vaccine available and at the health department the shot can be provided on a walk-in basis during regular business hours.

So who should have a flu shot? Perkins says everyone over the age of six months old is advised to have one because it is the best way to prevent getting and spreading the flu.

She says this year’s flu shot is different than in past years.

“Usually the flu shot will cover specific, targeted strains that they feel (are) most prevalent,” Perkins explains. “Instead of three strains that it is preventing against last year, they are preventing against four strains.

“We had a little bit become available last year in the fourth strain. This year we only have the four strains so it covers against two influenza A’s and two influenza B vaccines.”

Perkins says the flu shot is very important for elderly people. For them she says there is a high dose vaccine which is especially beneficial for them.

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