Flu season is upon us and that means it's time to get vaccinated, and doctors are urging people to get that flu shot early.
Doctors say not to wait, because around this time of year you may have the flu and not even know it.
"We're seeing a very low-lying level of activity almost undetectable that we see every year," says
Gary Wheeler, branch chief of infectious disease.
The CDC highly recommends getting the flu shot, especially women who are pregnant, since children under 6 months old can not get vaccinated.
"They have no protection, unless they get it from Mom," Wheeler says. "Children under a year of age have the highest death rate and complication rate."
Wheeler says of the three different components, there are two new strains this year; but it's not cause for worry.
"There are expectations that our vaccines should be very active against the strains that will be in the community this year," he says.
While it remains to be seen whether this will be a harsh season for the flu, Wheeler says one thing is for sure:
"Everybody can catch the flu and everybody can have serious consequences from influenza, including death."
It is safe for pregnant women to get vaccinated, as long as they get the injectable and not the nasal spray.
Doctors say not to wait, because around this time of year you may have the flu and not even know it.
"We're seeing a very low-lying level of activity almost undetectable that we see every year," says
Gary Wheeler, branch chief of infectious disease.
The CDC highly recommends getting the flu shot, especially women who are pregnant, since children under 6 months old can not get vaccinated.
"They have no protection, unless they get it from Mom," Wheeler says. "Children under a year of age have the highest death rate and complication rate."
Wheeler says of the three different components, there are two new strains this year; but it's not cause for worry.
"There are expectations that our vaccines should be very active against the strains that will be in the community this year," he says.
While it remains to be seen whether this will be a harsh season for the flu, Wheeler says one thing is for sure:
"Everybody can catch the flu and everybody can have serious consequences from influenza, including death."
It is safe for pregnant women to get vaccinated, as long as they get the injectable and not the nasal spray.
