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County Health Department Urges Everyone To Get Vaccinated Against the Seasonal Flu
Flu season has arrived and the St. Louis County Department of Health is urging that all residents six months of age and older be vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
Earlier this week, County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, director of the Saint Louis County Department of Health, were both vaccinated against the seasonal flu at an event highlighting the importance and ease of being vaccinated.
“It’s not just about protecting yourself. If you don’t catch the flu, then you can’t spread the flu to others,” said Dr. Gunn.
Every flu season, the vaccine contains several different strains of the flu virus. This year’s vaccine contains three flu strains, including the 2009 H1N1 strain that spread so quickly through the population last year.
Depending on the severity of the outbreak, between 15 and 60 million Americans are infected by seasonal flu each flu season. Over 200,000 people are hospitalized every year due to flu-related complications and around 36,000 of them die.
Starting on Wednesday, Sept. 22, residents will be able to call the Seasonal Flu Vaccination Hotline to find out where to go for seasonal flu vaccinations. They can also visit the Saint Louis County Department of Health’s Flu website: 1-877-588-4FLU (4358) or visit: www.SaintLouisCountyFlu.com
Other standard precautions being urged by the County Health Department are:
•Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Try to maintain a distance of three feet between you and others.
• Stay home when you are sick or think you may be getting sick.
