Do you think that you do not need a flu vaccine because you are healthy?  Unfortunately, even healthy people, especially the very young and very old, and pregnant women, can get serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia and dehydration, and could even end up in the hospital. The CDC reports that about 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu complications every year, with most of them being otherwise healthy children.

It’s important to understand that even if you get the flu and recover quickly, during your illness you could spread the flu to others including a newborn, an elderly person, or a toddler who cannot get vaccinated because of medical reasons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months old and older get a flu vaccine each year. Getting a flu vaccine helps to protect your health as well as the health of your family, friends, and others. The CDC strongly recommends that people who are at high risk for complications get a flu vaccine every year.  This includes young children, persons over 50 years of age, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications should also get a flu vaccine each year.

The Onondaga County Health Department is reminding you that it is not too late to get a flu vaccine. The Onondaga County Immunization Clinic continues to offer the flu vaccine at the weekly clinic on Wednesday mornings in the Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse. Call 435-2000 for more information.  Get your flu vaccine…to protect yourself and others!