Flu season starts in October; flu shots available now

With flu season approaching in October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises residents to receive the influenza vaccine as soon as it’s offered in their area. For Merced residents that means now.

The CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older receive a flu vaccination.

Flu shots are available at pharmacies such as Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart and CVS. The Merced County Community Health Clinics and the Merced County Public Health Department will have flu vaccinations available starting in October.

Katherine Belen, pharmacy manager for Rite Aid on G Street, said workers there tend to be “very busy” at the start of flu season, and encourages everyone to come in as soon as they can for a flu shot. Belen said no appointments are necessary.

According to the CDC, there are a few changes this flu season: Only injectible shots are recommended; vaccines have been improved to match circulating viruses; and there are new vaccination recommendations for people who are allergic to eggs.

As long as one’s egg allergy produces nothing more serious than hives, any licensed flu vaccine is acceptable, according to the CDC. But people who suffer any other symptoms are recommended to have their vaccines supervised by a medical provider, in a medical office, who can manage and recognize the symptoms.

Another change this year was the recently passed legislation, Senate Bill 792, that requires every employee at a day care center or family day care home to have the flu vaccination. Immunizations against the measles and pertussis are required as well.

According to the CDC, each year an average of 20,000 children ages 5 and under are hospitalized because of flu-related complications. Although people can die from the flu, the CDC doesn’t know the exact number.

“In my professional opinion, everybody should get vaccinated to be protected,” said Prashanta Janz-Navarro, supervising public health nurse for the Merced County Public Health. “People don’t usually realize that the flu can cause death.”

Janz-Navarro said it is important to receive the flu shot to avoid spreading the illness.

“If one person has the flu, and the rest around us had the vaccine, then it wouldn’t spread,” Janz-Navarro said.

Some minor symptoms from the flu shot, according to a Rite Aid vaccine information sheet, are redness, soreness and swelling where the shot was given. Fever, headaches, cough, fatigue, itching and soreness also are possible symptoms.

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Flu season starts in October; flu shots available now."