Doctors say it’s not too late to get flu shot
The Department of Public Health says flu activity is on the rise in California. The number of flu-related doctor visits in Riverside County are above average for this time of year, and doctors are urging people to get the flu shot.
According to Diandra Ruidera, an infectious diseases pharmacist at Desert Regional Medical Center, it’s not too late to get the flu shot. “Peak season of the flu is actually in February. From historical data that the CDC has gathered, it shows that many people actually continue to contract the flu virus up to February and all the way into May.”
The flu vaccine changes each year, based on predictions, which is why doctors recommend a shot each year. The Centers for Disease Control says nasal spray vaccines are not as effective for this year’s strain. A common flu shot myth that people believe is the flu shot will get them sick.
Ruidera says there is an explanation for cases like this. “Sometimes, even when someone is vaccinated, they might develop a flu from a completely different strain. The virus that’s in the shot, though, is dead. There’s no chance of you getting the flu from the flu shot,” said Ruidera.
