Flu Shot 2015: Get Them Before It's Too Late- Flu Season is Officially Here

By Deepthi B - 06 Oct '15 16:08PM
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Although at the moment the flu activity is at a passive phase, the distressing outbreaks are expected any time this month, claims the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children are particularly vulnerable to the flu virus, with over 20,000 kids getting hospitalized every year owing to certain complications that occurs due to the flu. In fact, it's alarming to learn that over 140 deaths have been attributed to this virus, claims CDC.

Dr. Robin Altman, chief of general pediatrics for Children's & Women's Physicians of Westchester, is urging people, especially kids to get vaccinated ahead of the season. According to Altman, it takes two weeks post the vaccination for the body to build up its immunity to fight the virus. Hence, the earlier the better. The flu vaccine has been stated to be the best protection against the flu, reports USA Today.

It is a yearly vaccine that gets updated every year to combat the viruses, and CDC recommends that every adult and child above 6 months of age should take it. This season's vaccine has also been updated to fight the current viruses. According to CDC's Vaccine Supply report, over 92 million doses of the 2015-2016 seasonal influenza vaccine have been distributed so far. It had been projected earlier that around 171 to 179 million doses of vaccine are set to be provided to the US by private manufacturers, however, this number could very well rise as the season proceeds.

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