National Influenza Week

National Influenza Week (NIVW)

December 4-December 10 2016

This is National Influenza Week! The focus of this week is to highlight the importance of getting the flu vaccine. The first week of December is a great time to remind people it is not too late in the flu season to get the vaccine especially with the upcoming holidays. This is a vaccine that is given annually and is the best way to prevent/fight the flu.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can affect all ages of people. The illness can be mild but also severe.

The flu vaccine can help prevent the flu or lessen the symptoms. New for the 2016-2017 season is the recommendation that only the injectable form be given. (The flu nasal spray is not recommended this flu season). Flu viruses change continuously and so each year’s (or each season’s) vaccine make up changes to reflect the ever changing flu viruses. The vaccine produces antibodies that fight the virus once the virus enters the body. It takes about 2 weeks for the antibodies to build up in the body for full virus protection. Flu activity is highest between December and February but can start as early as October and last until May.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has a great website

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/