Flu season draws nearer -- and shots are available throughout Yakima

Oct. 28--The best time of year to get a flu shot is right now.

While Washington has flu year-round, it is most active in the fall and winter months, according to Kristen Maki, public information officer for the state Department of Health.

The Centers for Disease Control and medical professionals recommend getting the flu shot each year before the end of October, since it takes two weeks for the immunization to develop after getting the vaccination.

"Every year, the flu is made up of different components because people are anticipating what viruses are most likely to cause flu illnesses," said Tanny Davenport, a Yakima family physician and chief medical officer of SignalHealth at Virginia Mason Memorial hospital. This year's shot protects against two influenza type A strains and two type B strains, he said.

In 2017, the Centers for Disease Control documented 49 million influenza illnesses, 1 million hospitalizations and 80,000 deaths nationally. The CDC estimates that the flu vaccination prevented 7 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations and 8,000 deaths. Data from last flu season is not yet available.

In Washington alone, there were 243 documented deaths caused by the flu last year, including two children, according to the DOH.

"This isn't just something that affects elderly individuals," Davenport said. "It can also be lethal to kids."

The CDC recommends that everyone get vaccinated aside from children under 6 months and people with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccines or ingredients.

For that reason, it's important that people who can get the flu shot seek out the vaccination, in part to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, Davenport said.

For the past three years, the flu has swept through Yakima around Christmas time or New Year's. But last year, a spike of flu illnesses continued through March, he added.

"Every year, the timing of the flu varies. That's why we encourage people to get immunized as early as possible, because you never know when it's going to be helpful," he said.

Children under the age of 18 in Washington state can get flu vaccines -- and other recommended vaccines -- for free, Maki said. Sometimes providers change administration fees, which clients can ask to have waived if they can't afford it, she said. Most insurance plans and Medicare part B cover the cost for adults over 18.

"People should get their vaccination wherever they can. So if it's offered at your place of employment or if you choose to go to a local pharmacy, those all work really well," Davenport said. "The most important thing is to get immunized as early as possible so that it is most effective in case we have an early flu season."

Reach Janelle Retka at jretka@yakimaherald.com or on Twitter: @janelleretka

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