We are in the middle of flu season, and the Vanderbugh County Health Department announced today it will be offering flu shots for children.
It is also urging any adults to get their flu shots if they haven't already.
Which begs the question, how bad is flu season this year?
When it comes to the flu, it's pretty quiet around Vanderburgh County according to the health department.
"Well so far the instance of flu has been very low," said Dr. Ray Nicholson, Vanderbugh Co. Health Dept.
Dr. John Myers at St. Mary's Convenient Care tells us he's seen very few patients as well.
"We've only seen one kind of family with the flu who actually were traveling from out of state," said Dr. Myers. "They came through and they tested positive. So we've had a really mild season for the flu so far."
But that's not to say it will remain that way.
"Peak flu season is February, January and then March," said Dr. Myers. "So we wouldn't expect to see anything at this point and time."
Dr. Myers says he meets a lot of patients who say they get sick from the vaccine, he wants to remind them you can't get the flu from a flu shot, in fact it's the opposite.
"The only thing you can do is get the flu shot. That's the best defense is to prevent it," said Dr. Myers.
That's why the health department is now offering vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 18 years of age.
"Most deaths occur in young infants and older people over 65. You just don't know how serious it's going to be," said Dr. Ray Nicholson. "It depends entirely on the strain. The strain changes every year the vaccine changes every year."
You can take your kids to be vaccinated at the Vanderburgh County Health Department, located at 420 Mulberry St:
BY APPOINTMENT Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - CALL (812) 435-5997
or
WALK-IN Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
