Influenza tips are on this poster.(Photo courtesy of Benton County Public Health and Virginia Gay Hospital)

Public health officials in Iowa urge the public to be vaccinated against the flu as the flu season heats up.

"It's sweet so far," said Hiroyuki Suzuki, an infectious disease fellow at the University of Iowa. "There are only nine cases reported in Iowa so it's a very good time to get the flu shot."

Kate Klefstad, head of the Johnson County Public Health Clinical Services, said in a press release that being vaccinated against the flu was one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.

"The vaccine strains change every year to match what is most likely to circulate during the season, so it's important to get the flu shot every year," Klefstad said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people be vaccinated against influenza by the end of October. Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus.

The CDC reported about According to an interview with The Associated Press, 80,000 people died of the flu last year. It has been about 40 years since the CDC began estimating mortality from influenza, which represents the largest number of deaths in about 40 years.

Public health officials recommend that all people six months of age and older be vaccinated against influenza before the seasonal flu begins to spread. Public clinics and many places in the Iowa City area offer immunization services by appointment or by appointment without appointment until December.

"It is really important to vaccinate very old, very young or pregnant people," said hospital epidemiologist UI Hospitals & Clinics Jorge Luis Salinas. "Vaccination is more important in people whose immune systems are weakened."

Jacob Riley, a specialist in disease prevention in the Department of Public Health, said that the number of influenza cases was not tracked at the county or city level, but at the level of health. ;state.

Iowa recorded an increase in hospitalizations associated with influenza last year compared to previous years. A total of 1,890 hospitalizations were recorded from October 2017 to May 2018, according to weekly reports of the end of the influenza season of last year.

Suzuki said that there had been 427 confirmed cases at hospitals and UI clinics last year, more than the typical average of about 300 per year. He added that the severity of the cases was similar to that of previous years.

"Influenza activity in Iowa this year is currently classified as low and sporadic, but it's very early in the season," Riley said.

As it takes about two weeks after the vaccination so that the body produces enough antibodies to protect itself from the flu, the authorities say that it is important that people are not long in getting vaccinated.

As influenza viruses change every year, vaccine composition is updated every year.

"This year, the vaccine should be more effective," Suzuki said.

Riley said this year that there are some additional changes in terms of preparations for the flu season. Egg-allergic people can now receive any recommended flu shot. The recommended age groups for some vaccines have been expanded to include younger children and FluMist can be re-administered for those who qualify.

Potential side effects of the vaccine include headaches or muscle aches, but these usually disappear after a day or two.

Johnson County Public Health also recommends, in addition to being vaccinated, to wash their hands, cover their coughs and contain their germs by staying at home if they are sick. But the vaccine remains the most effective, experts say.

"People should not be persuaded by reports of less effective vaccines," Salinas said. "Overall, being vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu."

Flu vaccination services:

Johnson County Public Health Department

Call 319-356-6042 for more information on clinics and appointment times.

Visiting Nurses Association

The schedule of public clinics for influenza and pneumonia can be found here. The locations include schools in Iowa City.

University of Iowa Health Care

Information about the walk-in clinic found here.

Local pharmacies

CVS pharmacies and Walgreens establishments also offer flu vaccination services by appointment and without appointment.

Reach Hillary Ojeda at 319 339-7345, [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @hillarymojeda.

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