Interior Health urges all people to get the flu shot

This year’s flu vaccine protects against the Brisbane, Kansas, and Colorado strains.

Smith says children are also immunized against the Phuket strain.

“They’re named for the city or the lab location where they first identify the virus,” Smith said. “So, for example, the Brisbane virus was obviously identified in a Brisbane lab.”

While the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is unpredictable, the viruses contained in it are chosen based on what is happening elsewhere in the world.

“The Southern Hemisphere is having winter while we’re having our summer, so we know by looking at the Southern Hemisphere what viruses they’re experiencing down there. They know that those viruses will come forward to us to the Northern Hemisphere for our winter.”

The flu can spread easily from person to person, and it’s much more dangerous than the common cold.

“Influenza is much more severe, so with influenza, you generally get a fever,” Smith said. “That’s the biggest difference you’ll find between a cold and influenza is a fever. Also with influenza, you tend to get more headachy, more achy, more fatigued than with a cold.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

If you do end up catching the flu, Interior Health recommends you stay home to stop the spread of the virus, especially to those with higher health risks.

“Those that are most at risk for complications from influenza are the really young, children under age five, the elderly, those that are over 65, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions,” Smith said.

Even if you’re perfectly healthy, it’s recommended you get your flu shot, not only to prevent getting influenza yourself but to prevent spreading it to others.

by Jill Sperling

Interior Health urges all people to get the flu shot

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