​Wake County Urges Residents To 'Take Your Shot' Against The Flu

Press release from the Wake County Government:

by Stephen R. Walston on 10/21/2020 10:28 AM
Category: Human Services; WakeGOV Home Page

With so much attention
focused on COVID-19, Wake County doesn’t want residents to forget about another
respiratory virus that spreads easily this time of year – the flu. That’s why
the Public Health Division launched a new awareness campaign October 21 to
remind residents that now is the right time to “take your shot” against the
flu.

“It’s important that everyone
get vaccinated against influenza – especially now,” said Dr. Nicole Mushonga,
Wake County’s associate medical director and Epidemiology Program director. “If
you get your flu shot by the end of October, you can maximize your protection
against the virus well into next spring.”

In addition to protecting yourself
and your loved ones from contracting the virus, getting a flu shot will also
help safeguard our local healthcare system. Doctors’ offices and hospitals are
currently battling two powerful respiratory viruses – the flu and COVID-19. If
positive cases of both soar, the medical community could become overwhelmed – a
scenario no one wants to see happen.

Where to Get Vaccinated
Wake County Public Health is making it easy for residents get vaccinated this
year. Staff are holding walk-in flu shot clinics at the Sunnybrook facility
located at 10 Sunnybrook Rd. in Raleigh. The clinics are scheduled for Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 and 18 from 1–5 p.m.

The cost for the vaccine is
$30, but for pregnant women who are uninsured or children under age 19 who meet
certain criteria, the flu shot is free.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?
Wake County Public Health encourages
everyone to get vaccinated against the flu – especially children ages 5 and
younger, and adults 65 and older, because they’re at greater risk of becoming
seriously ill from flu.

They also advise that
frontline workers, caregivers, first responders and people with underlying
health conditions get a flu shot.

Having a Healthier Holiday
Season
As the temperature starts to drop,
people begin spending more time together indoors, making it much easier to
share germs and catch viruses like the flu. With Halloween and Thanksgiving
approaching, getting vaccinated is one of the best ways you can avoid
contracting the flu and sharing it with others.

Other tips include:

• Washing your
  hands frequently with soap and water;
• Wearing a mask;
• Wiping down
  high-touch surfaces with antibacterial cleaners; and
• Coughing into
  your elbow and not your hands.

For
more information about how you can “take your shot” against the flu, visit wakegov.com/takeyourshot.

This press release was produced by the Wake County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.