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The flu season extends from October to May in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, between 10 and 20% of the population is usually affected.
The McHenry County Department of Health wants residents to get the flu shot as soon as possible. This helps protect you and those around you – especially infants and high-risk people who may have flu-related complications.
A study funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been conducted for four recent flu seasons and has shown that influenza vaccination reduces the risk of developing a severe case of influenza in adults. According to a 2017 CDC study, getting vaccinated greatly reduces the risk of dying from the flu.
The CDC recommends that all children 6 months and older get a flu shot.
Influenza vaccines are available at most health care providers or pharmacies in the area. Appointments to the Department of Health are not yet available, but the McHenry County Health Department will offer flu shots on a limited appointment basis starting in October. For more information, visit the Department of Health's website at www.mcdh.info.
"There are several influenza viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against three or four influenza viruses that research suggests will be the most common," said Susan Karras, director of nursing at McHenry County's Department of Health. . "Even if there is not an ideal match for a virus, the vaccine can protect against other viruses."
In addition to influenza vaccine, hand washing, coughing, cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and very sensitive objects are daily preventative measures.
For more information on who is most at risk, how the flu spreads, flu symptoms and more, visit www.mcdh.info or www.cdc.gov/flu.
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