County health officials urge residents to get their flu shot
Riverside County Health officials held an event today to urge people to get their flu shot ahead of flu season.
County Supervisor Chuck Washington got his flu shot at the front of the Board of Supervisors meeting to try and set a good example and explain the importance of getting a flu shot. Washington said it’s not just for your own health, but for the overall health of the community.
“It’s an important step in protecting the health of your neighborhood, of your community of your city of our county,” Washington told KESQ & CBS Local 2.
Despite the act, many residents still expressed their concerns.
“Me personally I don’t believe the flu shot is necessary. I believe the body has healed itself for many, many years”
“To me, I feel like it’s all to make money”
“I’m just afraid that I might get sick or something”
Riverside County Public Health officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser says the shot cannot give you the flu. Hee brought the fact that this year marks the 100 year anniversary of the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918, in which hundreds of thousands across the U.S. died due to an H1N1 virus.
Kaiser says we could see something like that again.
“That type of virus is still around. And even though we have much better public health infrastructure than we had in 1918, we could still have some severe virus someday that could befell potentially thousands of people,” Kaiser said.
According to Kaiser, 80,000 people died from complications of the flu last year. Doctors say the best way to protect yourself and your family is to get this year’s vaccine.
At pharmacies like Walgreens, with most insurance companies, there isn’t even a copay for flu shots. This means your flu shot would be entirely free of charge. Without insurance, you’re looking at about $40 for the vaccine.
If you didn’t get your flu shot yet it’s not too late, nurses say October is the best time to get your flu shot. You can get one by speaking to your normal health provider or by heading to most pharmacies.
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