Health Department Recognizes National Influenza Week, Offers Flu Vaccinations

National Influenza Vaccine Week is this week, December 7-13, and the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department wants to remind area residents that it is not too late to get vaccinated against the flu. Flu season occurs in the fall and winter, usually peaking in January or February; however, it can occur as early as October and as late as May.

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. It is spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets containing their germs land in the mouth or nose. People can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching the mouth, eyes, or nose. Most healthy adults can infect others one day before symptoms develop, and 5-7 days after symptoms appear. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems might be contagious for a longer period. Complications from the flu can be very serious, especially to certain high-risk groups, which include seniors (those age 65 and older), children (especially those age 2 and younger), pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions such as chronic respiratory illness and diabetes. Flu related complications can include pneumonia and dehydration.

The best protection against the flu is the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all people age 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department has influenza vaccine available for qualifying children and adolescents through the Texas Vaccines for Children program. Individuals can call the health department at 325-646-0554 for information about the cost of the flu vaccine for children. Numerous physicians’ offices and pharmacies also have the flu vaccine available.

For answers to questions about the flu and the flu vaccine, people can access the CDC website at www.cdc.gov or contact the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department at 325-646-0554. The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department is located at 510 E. Lee Street.