SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health urges Californians to get the influenza vaccine in September or October ahead of the arrival of influenza season.

In California, flu usually begins to increase in late November or December. It takes a couple of weeks after vaccination for the body to respond fully, so now is the time to get vaccinated to have the best protection before the flu season begins.

“Getting vaccinated is the best protection against flu illness,” said CDPH Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “You can prevent missing work or school, visits to the doctor or hospitalizations, and protecting others from coming down with the flu.”

A person with flu may be contagious and infect others before they even feel sick.

For the second year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only recommend injectable flu vaccines.

The nasal spray flu vaccine – live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV – is not recommended for use this season due to concerns about the effectiveness.

Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and, sometimes, thousands or tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.

To reduce this risk, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older.

While anyone can get flu, pregnant women, children under five, adults 65 years of age and older, and people with chronic conditions such as heart disease and asthma are particularly at risk for flu-related complications.

Flu shots are needed every year to maintain the greatest protection because the vaccine changes each season to match the circulating viruses.

Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, you should also:

• Stay home while sick and limit contact with others;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or disposable tissue;
• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

CDPH encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician’s office, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining the flu vaccine.

Lake County Public Health offers low-cost vaccinations. Call 707-263-1090 for more information.

For more information about the flu, visit CDPH’s Web site. For the flu vaccine location nearest you, visit www.flu.gov.