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12 • OCTOBER 2020 - Senior Voice of Hernando County Health Connections
12 • OCTOBER 2020 - Senior Voice of Hernando County
Health Connections features information about health issues that affect us as we age, and local health news. If you have suggestions for health-related articles,
please let me know by emailing me at megan.seniorvoice@gmail.com.
T ime for y our flu vaccine
changes in immune defenses easily, healthy children and vaccination should continue
as we increase in age. adults can become sick when throughout flu season, even
exposed to the virus. There into January or later.
In the United States, more are high risk of serious flu
than 200,000 people, on complications or death if you In Hernando County, many of
average, are hospitalized are immunocompromised our local doctor’s offices and
each year for illnesses with HIV, diabetes, asthma, pharmacies offer the vaccine.
associated with seasonal COPD, cancer, pregnancy, or Visit FluFreeFlorida.com and
influenza virus infections; other comorbidities. use the flu shot locator to find
and older adults account a provider near you.
for most hospitalizations The influenza vaccine doesn’t Remember, to continue our
and deaths from flu. The protect just you and your good public health practices
influenza vaccine helps give family - it also protects the
By Grace Gifford, BSN, your body the protection it people around you. It takes as we enter the flu season,
RN, Florida Department needs to fight the flu and is about two weeks for the wash your hands often and if
of Health in Hernando the most effective method in vaccine to take effect and you become sick, stay home,
get rest, drink plenty of fluids,
County preventing illness. offer full protection. There are and contact your doctor or
vaccines for children, adults,
Have you received your Each year, the vaccine is adults over 65, preservative- seek medical attention as soon
influenza vaccine? made up of different strains free, and egg-free vaccines, so as possible if you are getting
of the virus. Your immune worse instead of better.
According to the CDC, response has weakened be sure to get the one that is
getting a flu vaccine during from the previous year, right for you. Grace Gifford, BSN, RN, is
the 2020-2021 flu season is so an annual vaccine is The CDC recommends an epidemiological nurse at
more important than ever recommended to provide that almost everyone six the Florida Department of
because of the ongoing continuous protection. months of age and older Health in Hernando County.
COVID-19 pandemic. Flu Symptoms of flu can range get a seasonal flu vaccine She has been an integral part
vaccination is especially from a mild fever to life each year by the end of of the COVID-19 response
important for adults 65 years threatening pneumonia. Since October. However, as long taskforce.
and older due in part to the influenza virus spreads as flu viruses are circulating,
