Welcome to North Shore Health Department North Shore Health Department Highlights 12/3/2019 Did you know? It’s not too late to receive your flu shot! December 2-8th is National Influenza Vaccination week. We may sound like a broken record here, still harping about flu vaccine, but it is for good reason backed by sound data. Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death, especially in the very old and very young. In Wisconsin alone, just since September 2019, there have been 6 deaths and 57 influenza-associated hospitalizations (3 in the North Shore area) and these numbers will only be climbing as the flu season progresses. An annual seasonal flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older is the best way to help protect against flu-not only for you, but also for all of those around you. There are many reasons to get a flu vaccine. • Reduce your risk of: Flu illness Doctor’s visits Missed work/school Reduce severity of flu illness Protect women before and after pregnancy Protect babies unable to get the vaccine While CDC recommends getting vaccinated against the flu by the end of October each year, they encourage vaccination through January or later as flu seasons have lengthened over the years. People have been diagnosed with the flu well into the Spring, meaning it is not too late to get your flu shot. Remember that it takes about two weeks after being immunized for your body to develop sufficient antibodies to protect you. Fit in your immunization before holiday gatherings. The North Shore Health Department offers an assortment of flu immunizations, including: • Quadrivalent flu shots for $40 • Preservative free quadrivalent flu shots for $45 • High dose flu shots (ages 65 and over) for $65 (We can bill medicare.) For more data and information on the prevention of influenza through vaccine, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Ffeatures%2Ffighttheflu%2Findex.html Missed the highlights? Click here to view previous highlights.