Get your flu shot during National Influenza Vaccination Week

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Updated: January 8, 2012 8:08AM

Here’s a gift that keeps on giving — for you and for anyone you might give the flu.

The Illinois Department of Public Health encourages residents to get a flu shot during National Influenza Vaccination Week from Dec. 4-10.

Even Gov. Pat Quinn got his flu shot Friday, according to a press release.

National Influenza Vaccination Week encourages people to be vaccinated no matter how late in the season.

“Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well,” said Dr. Kenneth Soyemi, Illinois Department of Public Health acting director. “The flu season typically runs from October to May, with the peak around January, so get vaccinated today before all the holiday parties and family gatherings.”

One of the biggest myths about the flu? You can get the flu from a flu shot. The influenza vaccine cannot give you the flu. Why? Because the flu shot contains killed viruses, and the nasal spray has weakened viruses that cannot cause illness. If you get flu-like symptoms soon after being vaccinated, it might mean you were exposed to the flu before getting vaccinated, or during the two-week period it takes the body to build up protection after vaccination. It might also mean you are sick with another illness that causes symptoms similar to the flu.

Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) You can also go to a doctor for antiviral drugs, which can make illness milder, shorten the time you are sick and may prevent serious complications.

Both the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone six months and older receive the influenza vaccine. People at high risk of serious complications include young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease; and people 65 years and older.

Vaccination is also important for health care workers and others who live with or care for high-risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people. For example, children younger than six months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated.

Influenza vaccinations are available in many doctor’s offices, local health departments, health clinics, pharmacies and other health care providers.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an average of 100 million doses of influenza vaccine has been used in the United States each year and has an excellent safety record.

Sporadic cases of influenza have been reported already in Illinois.

To reduce the spread of influenza, it is also important to practice the 3 C’s:

Clean — properly wash your hands frequently

Cover — cover your cough and sneeze

Contain — contain your germs by staying home if you are sick

Learn more at www.idph.state.il.us/flu/index.htm

Courtesy of The Illinois Department of Public Health