City Of Omaha: Flu Season Begins In Octo ...

Press release from the City of Omaha:

October 3, 2021

Official tracking of the flu begins in October and some health experts are predicting an extremely active flu season.

"We know the one thing you can predict about the flu is that it’s unpredictable,” Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse said. “One thing we know for sure is that we don’t want to have a big flu season on top of COVID-19 and our continued high RSV case numbers.”

Case numbers from most years likely are underreported as most people who are only mildly ill know how to treat the flu and simply stay home. That keeps those cases from being reported. It’s impossible to predict the severity of the season that is about to start, but the Centers for Disease Control and Douglas County Health Department suggest you get the flu vaccine by the end of October.

“It is recommended that everyone six months of age and older get the flu vaccine,” Dr. Huse said. “The flu can kill, but more often it leads to missed work or school and other lost opportunities. It’s also a miserable experience.”

Vaccination is strongly recommended for pregnant women who are at a much higher risk for complications. The vaccine protects the mother while the baby also will have protection for about the first six months of life. At that point, they can directly receive the vaccine. People at risk of developing serious flu complications are advised to get the vaccine. That includes individuals aged 65 and over plus anyone with asthma, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. If you’re in any of these groups and develop flu-like symptoms, please seek medical advice.

The 2021-2022 seasonal flu vaccine is available from health care providers and pharmacies throughout the community. According to the CDC, all flu vaccines produced for the 2021-2022 flu season will be quadrivalent vaccines, meaning they protect against four strains of the flu. About 87% of the vaccine supply will not contain the preservative Thimerosal and some egg-free vaccines will be available. The flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time.

“The flu vaccine takes about two weeks before it provides protection, so the sooner you get a flu shot the better,” Dr. Huse said. “The vaccine is your best protection against the seasonal flu and protects the people around you.”

This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author’s own.