Not Too Late To Get A Flu Shot

LOUDOUN, Va. - Charlotte and Don Goodson, of Round Hill, were a little late getting their flu shots this year, but not too late.

Flu season is upon us, and it could stick around until May, said Nikou Afshari, a registered nurse who gave the Goodsons their flu shots in the Inova Loudoun Mobile Health Van in Purcellville Jan. 21. Their immunity to the virus will peak in about two weeks.

"This was just a good opportunity," Charlotte said. "We've been away and missed all the clinics."

Afshari gave seven flu shots and threw in a blood pressure screening by 4:30 p.m. The van stayed open for business in the parking lot of Town Hall until 6 p.m.

Afshari said one woman told her this was her first flu shot ever. A case of the flu last year convinced her the shot is worthwhile.

Carol Hodgson, a member of the Loudoun Health Council, said there's still plenty of time to get immunized against this year's flu.

Doctors' offices have an ample supply of vaccine, and CVS pharmacies and local groceries still are offering flu shot clinics. The van will be in the Safeway parking lot in Middleburg from 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 28. It accepts Medicare and Medicaid but cannot process private insurance claims. The flu shot costs $25.

Every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Georgia, flu sends more than 200,000 Americans to the hospital, and about 36,000 of them die from the pneumonia that can follow.

The CDC lists flu myths and the truth antidotes:

Getting a flu shot can give you the flu.

The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Problems more serious than soreness or redness at the vaccination site are rare.

The flu shot doesn't work.

Not so. Studies show a 70 to 90 percent effectiveness in preventing the disease. Getting the vaccine is the best protection.

The side effects are worse than the flu.

The shot might leave a small sore spot. The nasal mist might cause some congestion, runny nose and sore throat. The risk of a severe allergic reaction is less than one in 4 million.

Only older people need a flu vaccine.

Adults and children with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease should get a flu shot. Doctors recommend that children 6 months and older get a flu shot every year until their fifth birthday.

If you don't get the shot before December, it's no good.

The vaccine is effective when given before or during the flu season.

(Copyright 2008 Loudoun Times-Mirror. All rights reserved.)