Health workers recommend flu shots

Still time to ward off winter illness

Influenza, a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild or severe illness, tends to peak from January to March.

As fall grows later and winter approaches, local health officials say there still is time to get a flu shot for the 2017-18 season.

“Every year, we recommend flu vaccines for the population in general,” said Lynn Sheffield, community health nursing supervisor for the Lorain County General Health District.

Influenza, a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild or severe illness, tends to peak from January to March, so there still is time to get the shot this fall, Sheffield said.

Sooner is better because once people get the vaccine, it takes about two weeks to build up antibodies that will protect them, she said.

“We’re just kind of gearing up for flu season right now,” Sheffield said.

“We haven’t seen any flu yet. We don’t know when flu’s going to hit. We’ll be prepared and continue to vaccinate all through the season.”

A number of retail drug stores also offer shots at reasonable prices and generally covered by a person’s health insurance.

“It works really well because most people, with their insurance, they’ll get the flu shot for free,” said Don Halliday, pharmacy manager at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center.

This year, many of the shots will be “quadrivalent” flu vaccines, meaning they protect against two forms of the influenza A and two forms of influenza B, said Dr. Gilbert Palmer, medical director for Mercy Health in Lorain and Mercy Allen hospital in Oberlin.

Palmer noted Ohio is not in a flu epidemic, so there is no need for public alarm.

But taking precautions will help people stay healthy and out of the hospital, he said.

“What did our parents say? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Palmer said. “That’s the key.”

The vaccine is highly recommended for the elderly and children.

Those groups may be more susceptible to flu if they have weakened immune systems due to their respective ages, officials say.

Children may be especially vulnerable to flu, according to the county health department.

Each year, 20,000 children age 5 or younger are hospitalized because of flu complications, according to the county figures posted at loraincountyflu.com.

• To avoid getting sick or spreading illness, there are other tips for anyone to use, according to loraincountyflu.com.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If tissue is not available, cough into your shoulder or elbow.

• If you are sick, stay home to avoid spreading illness to others.

At the end of November, many people will gather for Thanksgiving, Palmer said.

“What a great vector for

disease if you’re not careful,” he said about people getting together in close quarters. “It’s a good time to practice those hygiene habits.”