ON THE CONCERNS THIS SEASON. VICK THE FLU. IF YOU HAVE CAUGHT IT, YOU PROBABLY HOPE IT’S A ONE TIME DEAL. >> TERRIBLE. COUPLE WEEKS. PAINFUL. LAYING IN BED. >> IT TAKES OUR WHOLE FAMI DOWN. LAST YEAR WAS SO ROUGH. VICKI: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MARCIA BLESCHER HAS BEEN HANDING OUT STEADY FLU SHOTS AT HER WEST SACRAMENTO SUTTER WALK IN CLINIC. >> WE’VE BEEN SEEING QUITE A FEW. A LOT OF THEM IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. THEN DEFINITELY RECENTLY BECAUSE THERE’S BEEN MORE FLU ACTIVITY. VICKI: WHAT STANDS OUT THIS YEAR IS AN EARLIER, STRONGER START THE FLU SEASON WITH NO INDICATION OF SLOWING DOWN. >> WE USUALLY SEE MORE IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY BUT WE’RE SEEING A LOT OF ACTUAL FLU I DECEMBER, END OF NOVEMBER. VICK ALSO, A MAJORITY OF FLU CASES SO FAR COME FROM A STRAI PHYSICIANS AREN’T USED TO SEEING THIS TIME OF YEAR. >> USUALLY INFLUENZA A IS THE PREDOMINANT STRAIN OF THE VIRUS THIS YEAR. THIS YEAR WE’RE SEEING MORE INFLUENZA B. VICKI: BUT THE GOOD NEWS, THE FLU VACCINE COVERS MULTIPLE STRAIN AND ALTHOUGH IT ISN’T PERFECT IT’S STRONGLY ENCOURAGED AS THE , SAFEST BET IN PREVENTION. >> TIRED. NOT GETTING OFF THE COUCH. MISSING A LOT OF SCHOOL. SO WE THOUGHT IT’S TIME TO TRY TO AVOID THAT IF POSSIBLE. GET IT. >> IT’S WORTH IT IF NOT, YOU PAY THE CONSEQUENCES DOWN THE ROAD. VICK DOCTORS ADVISE THE SOONER, THE BETTER. ONCE YOU GET THE FLU SHOT IT ACTUALLY TAKES A COUPLE WEEKS FOR IT TO TAKE FULL EFFE
State health officials warn flu season is starting early
24 deaths across California so far this flu season
The flu season is starting early, and health officials are urging people to get their flu vaccine. Since activity was first reported in September, 24 flu-related deaths have been reported to the California Department of Public Health.“We’ve been seeing quite a few (vaccines). A lot of them in October and November. And then definitely recently because there’s been more flu activity,” Sutter Health physician assistant Marcia Blescher said. “We usually see more in January or February but we’re seeing a lot of actual flu in December, end of November.”A majority of influenza cases are strain B, which is not the predominant strain—influenza A. However, the vaccine protects from multiple strains, Blescher said. Last year flu season lasted much longer, according to epidemiologist Erin Murray with CDPH. Flu cases were reported into May— historically flu season drops off at the end of March. Blescher adds the vaccine is at its most effective for up to six months. Murray adds although the vaccine isn’t perfect, it will reduce the severity and potential for a bad outcome if you still get the flu. Pregnant women, children under 5, individuals with chronic conditions and people over 65 years old are strongly urged to get the flu vaccine. Physicians advise getting the vaccine sooner rather than later. Once the shot is administered the vaccine takes a couple of weeks to take full effect.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The flu season is starting early, and health officials are urging people to get their flu vaccine.
Since activity was first reported in September, 24 flu-related deaths have been reported to the California Department of Public Health.
“We’ve been seeing quite a few (vaccines). A lot of them in October and November. And then definitely recently because there’s been more flu activity,” Sutter Health physician assistant Marcia Blescher said. “We usually see more in January or February but we’re seeing a lot of actual flu in December, end of November.”
A majority of influenza cases are strain B, which is not the predominant strain—influenza A. However, the vaccine protects from multiple strains, Blescher said.
Last year flu season lasted much longer, according to epidemiologist Erin Murray with CDPH. Flu cases were reported into May— historically flu season drops off at the end of March.
Blescher adds the vaccine is at its most effective for up to six months.
Murray adds although the vaccine isn’t perfect, it will reduce the severity and potential for a bad outcome if you still get the flu.
Pregnant women, children under 5, individuals with chronic conditions and people over 65 years old are strongly urged to get the flu vaccine.
Physicians advise getting the vaccine sooner rather than later. Once the shot is administered the vaccine takes a couple of weeks to take full effect.