While the Iowa influenza season typically starts in November and peaks in January or later, it can begin any time. According to the Shelby County County Public Health Department, the County has recently diagnosed its first case of influenza for this season.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Shelby County Public Health Department at Myrtue Medical Center urge everyone to get their annual flu vaccination as soon as possible. Calla Poldberg, Nurse Practitioner and Director of Public Health, says “Since it takes up to two weeks after vaccination for the body to have the full protection from the flu virus, being vaccinated now means you’ll be protected before the flu starts spreading.”

Poldberg says everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccine. While the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine both protect against the flu, there is evidence the nasal spray vaccine works better than a regular flu shot especially in younger children. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends the nasal spray vaccine for all healthy children ages 2 through 8 years, when it is available. The FluMist (nasal spray) vaccine can be given to all healthy persons ages 2 through 49.

Persons at higher risk for complications of the flu need to be vaccinated, especially:
• Pregnant women
• Children, particularly those younger than 2 years of age
• Adults age 65 and older
• People who have certain medical conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and lung diseases

To schedule your appointment for the flu vaccine, call Myrtue Medical Center at 712-755-5130 or Shelby County Public Health at 712-755-4422. For more information on the kinds of flu vaccine available this year, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm.