WilCo Reminder: It's Not Too Late To Get A Flu Shot

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Ahead of National Influenza Vaccination Week being observed from Dec. 1-7, Williamson County health officials remind of the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.

Don't pooh-pooh the flu, officials suggested in a press advisory. The flu can be a serious health concern for older people, young children, pregnant women and people with conditions such as diabetes, or kidney, heart, or lung disease.

While most healthy people recover from the flu, it can be passed to others around you who might not be so lucky. Every year, influenza sickens hundreds of thousands of people, sending them to the hospital, officials noted. WilCo officials offered a grim statistic to buttress their point: A record number of U.S. patients died from flu during the 2017-18 season, with 80 ,000 deaths recorded according to the CDC.

Even though hand washing and avoiding sick people are good habits, those tactics alone are enough to prevent the flu, officials reminded. Flu germs are spread in the air through coughing, sneezing, or talking. "You can make others sick days before you start to feel sick, and up to a week after you become sick," officials wrote.

Luckily, there is still time to get the shot for protection throughout the entire flu season, which can last until May. “Getting the flu vaccine reduces the probability and severity of infection and the probability of transmitting the virus to others,” Dr. Lori Palazzo, Medical Director and Health Authority for the Williamson County and Cities Health District, said in a prepared statement. “Getting a flu vaccine is simple, and it’s the most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, and those that cannot get the vaccine, from flu.”

Free flu shots are available for uninsured Williamson County residents six months of age or older, and all TVFC-eligible, CHIP Medicaid recipients (please bring shot records). No one will be denied services if they are unable to pay.

Appointments are required, and can be secured by visiting the public health department website at www.wcchd.org or calling (512) 248-3252.