Is it too late to get a flu shot?

MARQUETTE COUNTY — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States seems to be experiencing peak flu season. The CDC is also considering the disease to be an epidemic, based on its medical impact.

The Marquette County Health Department said that two different strains of the flu are circulating the area, which is consistent with what is happening nationwide. One of the strains, H3N2, tends to affect people more severely than other strains, especially children and the elderly.

This year’s flu season began earlier than normal, but it’s not too late to get a flu vaccination if you haven’t already.

“It’s way better to get a flu vaccine than to not get a flu vaccine. It can help protect you from getting a more severe flu and it can help prevent hospitalizations in older people and young children to have a flu vaccine on board,” said Jean Reynolds, public health nurse and RN-Clinic Coordinator with the Marquette County Health Department.

Several places are out of flu vaccinations, but the Marquette County Health Department still has doses they can administer. The vaccinations become effective one to two weeks after receiving the shot. For more information on flu vaccines from the Marquette County Health Department, click HERE.

In addition to the vaccination, you can avoid spreading the flu by staying home if you’re sick and washing your hands frequently.