Flu season begins late fall in our area, and the St. Clair County Health Department is recommending the flu vaccine for all eligible individuals.
Flu vaccines can be given in various forms to people 6 months of age and older.
Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department wants people to know that Flu vaccines help your body use its own immune system to fight the virus. “Flu vaccines stimulate your body’s own natural immune system to develop antibodies. These antibodies provide protection against infection by circulating influenza viruses that can start any time after October,” she said.
Dr. Mercatante also said, “It takes your body at least 2 weeks to create these protective antibodies after a vaccine, so consider getting vaccinated sooner than later.”
Flu cases were down last year because COVID mitigation strategies such as physical distancing and masking reduced transmission. This year, people are behaving much differently, and cases will likely increase.
The flu vaccine is available from your primary care physician, many pharmacies, and all St. Clair County Health Department and Teen Health locations.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
