Did you know...

The single best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each season.  According to the CDC, yearly flu vaccination should begin in September, or as soon as vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season which can last as late as May. This is because the timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While flu season can begin early as October, most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January, February or later.

Who should get vaccinated? 
The CDC advises everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot, but especially those people who are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.
Those at high risk of developing flu-related complications include: 

• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Pregnant women
• American Indians and Alaskan Natives seem to be at higher risk of flu complications
• People who have medical conditions including:
  • Asthma (even if it’s controlled or mild)
  • Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury]
  • Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
  • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
  • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
  • Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
  • Kidney disorders
  • Liver disorders
  • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
  • Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
  • People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
  • People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index [BMI] of 40 or greater)

Here in Wharton, flu shots are now available at South Texas Medical Clinics!

For more information on the flu and to get more flu facts, click here.

For more information regarding flu shots at STMC or to make an appointment, call the Clinic at 979-532-1700.