It’s that time of year again
Now is the best time to get vaccinated to protect yourself from this flu season! Influenza (flu) is a serious disease caused by a virus and it can make you feel miserable! Fever, cough, chills, body aches, and extreme weakness are common symptoms. Flu spreads by sick people sneezing, coughing, or talking around you. It is very contagious.
Flu is dangerous
Tragically, each year, infants, children, teens, and adults die from the flu. The virus changes year to year, so some years can be more deadly than others. That’s why it’s so important to get the protection offered by a flu shot.
Even mild cases of the flu can be passed on to friends, family, and coworkers who could be more at risk for disease and they can get very sick or even die. Anyone can become seriously sick from the flu, but it is most dangerous for people with health conditions like heart and lung disease, young children, and pregnant women. People 65 years and older are especially at risk of developing serious complications, like pneumonia, from the flu.
How can you protect yourself and your loved ones?
You can take 3 steps to fight the flu:
- Get a flu vaccine. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine, preferably by the end of October. Getting a flu shot every year provides the best protection from the flu. The flu shot works by activating your body’s natural immune system. The shot includes inactivated (dead) flu virus – so it can’t make you sick. Your immune system responds to the dead virus in the shot and makes antibodies to destroy it. It is best to get your flu shot early, before flu season starts, because it takes about 2 weeks for your body to develop antibodies to protect you from the flu. After that, your body remembers how it destroyed the virus, so your antibodies can fight off the virus if you are exposed to it. Even if you don’t get the flu shot by the end of October, it’s not too late. Get it by mid-December for protection into the new year.
- Take everyday actions to stop the spread of germs. Try to avoid close contact with sick people, and if you become sick, limit your contact with others. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, and wash your hands often. These same steps can also help slow the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
- Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you get sick with flu, prescription flu antiviral drugs can be used to treat flu illness and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Where can you get your flu shot?
Flu shots are available for this flu season. Visit your healthcare provider or a local pharmacy to get your flu shot. See below for information about upcoming flu clinics available to the community:
- Schuyler Hospital Primary Care Walk-in Clinic flu shots:
- Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- CVS Pharmacy in Watkins Glen:
- Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Sundays from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Walmart Pharmacy in Watkins Glen:
- Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Sundays from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
- Quinlan’s Pharmacy & Medical Supply in Montour Falls:
- Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Guthrie options visit www.guthrie.org/flushots
- Visit vaccines.gov for more locations