The flu: A major winter misery

Getting the flu shot doesn't necessarily rule you out from an attack of the dreaded bug.\nBut it's highly unlikely that the shot was a dud. \nThe unfortunate souls who still get a dreaded case of the flu after a flu shot were most likely exposed to a strain of the virus that the vaccine doesn't protect against, according to Vernell Miller, supervisor at Community Health Services. \n"The strains that this year's vaccine protects against are Moscow, New Caledonia, and Sichuan," Miller said. \nPanama and Victoria are the other common strains.\nAnother reason that some people get the flu despite receiving a flu shot is because the nasty bug weaseled its way into the human body and incubated before the vaccine was injected. However, getting a flu shot after contracting the virus lessens the attack, according to Pam Bauerle, a local registered nurse. Approximately 2 weeks after getting a vaccination it kicks in for full defense, Bauerle said. \n"Peak of flu season is in January, but many folks already had their shots in early October," Miller said. \nBauerel and Miller said that the local demand for flu shots is normal despite an elevated demand in eastern states where many folks fear Anthrax. \n"There are people who are at high risk of getting the flu who should get flu shots," \nBauerel said.\nAccording to the Center for Disease Control, people over the age of 50, residents in long term health care, diabetics, cancer patients, nurses, babies between 6 and 18 months, women more than three months pregnant, children with asthma, students living in dorms and those traveling in the southern hemisphere are most in need of the flu shots. Anyone else with a weakened immune system should also receive a flu vaccine.\nFlu and pneumonia shots are available today at the Monroe County Chapter of the Red Cross located at 411 E. 7th St. Shots will be given at The Red Cross only between 9:30 and 11 this morning. Otherwise vaccinations are available at the Monroe County Hospital. Walk-ins are welcome at the walk-in clinic.