Vancouver, WA — Flu vaccine is widely available in Clark County, and health officials are recommending everyone six months and older get vaccinated soon. “Flu season often starts in October, so we recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible for season-long protection from this serious disease,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer. “Protection doesn’t kick in until two weeks after you get vaccinated, so don’t wait until flu is widely circulating before you get your shot.” Flu symptoms can be severe and typically include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. Flu kills more people in the U.S. than any other vaccine-preventable disease. On average, nearly 24,000 people die each year of flu, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty whether this year’s vaccine will be a good match for circulating flu viruses, the majority of viruses circulating worldwide in the past few months are similar to the vaccine strains. However, even in years when the vaccine is not well-matched, flu shots are the best method to prevent flu-related illness and missed days at school or work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu shots for everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions. Vaccination with nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist) is an option for people ages two through 49 who are healthy and not pregnant. People at greatest risk of complications from flu are especially urged to get vaccinated. They are young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other long-term health conditions. To get vaccinated, call your health care provider or pharmacy. You also can find vaccination sites online at http://vaccine.healthmap.org/. If you don’t have health insurance, call Sea Mar Community Health Centers at (360) 852-9070 or the Vancouver Free Clinic at (360) 313-1390 to make an appointment for a low-cost flu shot. Clark County Public Health employees will be vaccinated at work later this month. “A healthier workforce is a more productive workforce,” said Dr. Melnick. “We believe getting our staff immunized sets a good example and hope it encourages other agencies and businesses to offer flu shots at work.” Businesses wanting to provide onsite flu shots can call: • Adventist Health: (503) 408-7040 • Get a Flu Shot: 1-877-358-7468 (Getaflushot.com) • Maxim Healthcare Service: (503) 452-4545 • Passport Health: (360) 597-4495 In addition to flu shots, these everyday practices can reduce the chance of catching or spreading disease: • Cough or sneeze into your arm or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw away the tissue and wash your hands. • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. • If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home and limit contact with others. • Avoid close contact with sick people. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. For more information, see www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm.