Medical experts are advising people to get their flu shots early to maximize protection this year.

Seniors: Protect yourself from the flu by getting vaccinated this month!

Medical experts are advising people to get their flu shots early to maximize protection this year.
While last year’s especially deadly and contagious flu season is no indication of what will happen this year, medical experts are advising people to get their flu shots early to maximize protection.
 
Local pharmacies and health care providers have started administering the vaccine, which can be given to most people as young as 6 months of age. It is especially crucial for those with health issues that could mean a more serious illness or death due to complications.
While the vaccine is no guarantee one will not catch the flu, medical experts say it can help ward off the most prevalent strains predicted by the Centers for Disease Control for the 2018-19 season and chosen by the Food and Drug Administration to decrease the severity and length of illness. Doing so is important because sometimes the flu can lead to complications and be fatal, even among those without pre-existing health conditions.
 
Last year’s 342 fatalities spanned those ages 1 to 101 years, with 13 percent of fatal cases among those under 65. The season (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) included 20,833 lab-confirmed cases, of which 320 required stays in intensive care units, according to the county’s Health and Human Services Agency. In contrast, the 2016-17 season before had 6,827 lab-confirmed flu cases, with 87 fatalities and 107 requiring ICU admission in the county.
 
“Last year ... was a severe flu season,” said Dr. Eric McDonald, medical director of the county’s epidemiology program. He said this was not just true for San Diego, but across the United States.
 
“We had more Influenza B cases than the entire previous season (of strains) put together,” McDonald said, citing the 6,800-plus B cases last year.

To read the full San Diego Union Tribune News Article towards what is best for Seniors this year please Click Here
 
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