As the holiday season approaches, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is urging residents to get their flu shots. The department notes that flu vaccines are available at public health clinics, doctor’s offices, and pharmacies throughout Texas.
Public health officials warn that cooler weather, increased travel, and family gatherings during Thanksgiving can raise the risk of spreading respiratory viruses such as influenza. They recommend that everyone aged six months and older receive a flu shot as soon as possible. Immunity takes about two weeks to develop after vaccination.
“It is especially important for older adults, very young children, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women to get protection from the flu,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH. “People in those higher risk groups are more likely to get seriously sick if they do get the flu, and some will inevitably need to be hospitalized and even die from their infections.”
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza led to at least 600,000 hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States last season. Research from 2010 estimated that seasonal flu costs over $87 billion annually; when adjusted for inflation, this figure is now about $131 billion.
Flu symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and chills. These symptoms may last a week or longer. Antiviral medications are available by prescription and can reduce both the severity and duration of illness if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.
The virus spreads mainly through droplets produced when infected individuals talk, sneeze or cough. It can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes. In addition to vaccination, officials recommend covering coughs and sneezes, frequent handwashing, and staying home when ill as ways to help prevent transmission.
Residents seeking a flu shot should contact their healthcare provider or local pharmacy for availability.
