Hollywood, MD – Flu season is underway and it is no laughing matter. According to the Centers for Disease Control, between 80 percent and 90 percent of flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older.
The 2016-2017 influenza season could potentially last as late as May. That’s almost three-fourths of the entire year. Why try to ride it out when there is an easier solution? According to the health experts at The Pharmacy at P.J. Bean (PJB) in Hollywood, “an annual seasonal flu vaccine is the absolute best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flue and spread it to others. Vaccines work by causing antibodies to develop in the body based on the virus that is present in the vaccination. These antibodies are what helps protect the body from getting viruses such as the flu virus. Typically, it takes two weeks for the body to develop antibodies after vaccination, so the sooner you get the vaccination, the better. This way you are protected before influenza begins spreading in your community.”
Vipul and Prakruti Shah at The Pharmacy at PJB told TheBayNet.com that not only can the annual vaccination keep you from getting sick with the flu, it can lower your risk of “flu-associated hospitalization. Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and chronic lung disease. Vaccination helps protect women during and after pregnancy.
Getting vaccinated also protects the developing baby during pregnancy and for several months after the baby is born. Flu vaccination also may make your illness milder in the slight chance that you do get sick.”
The health departments for all three Southern Maryland counties—Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles—have information about flu vaccines and upcoming clinics.
Enjoy the video presentation about flu season preparation.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
