Local and national health officials are hoping to mitigate the impacts of the oncoming influenza season by recommending a flu vaccine as the best course of coverage.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency announced its first set of flu vaccine clinics beginning on Oct. 18 in Modesto and continuing through Dec. 5. 

The seasonal flu vaccine will be available for anyone six months of age and older. The flu shot will be offered for $25, which is to cover the cost of vaccine administration, however, no one will be turned away for the inability to pay this fee.

In addition to the clinics the SCHSA will offer flu vaccinations at their office at 820 Scenic Drive in Modesto. Flu vaccinations will be available on a walk-in basis from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays. Appointments can be made for the flu vaccination and are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Prior to each flu season the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts research into which strains are the most likely to circulate among the population. For the 2017-18 flu season the vaccines are meant to protect against an updated H1N1, H3N2, and the B/Victoria lineage. 

Seasonal flu activity does have an element of unpredictability, however in the past flu season typically starts in October and continues through May, with peaks in December through March.

It takes about two weeks for the body’s immune system to fully respond to the flu vaccine.

“Getting the flu shot every year is the best way to avoid getting the flu, so take time to get your flu shot. Everyone six months and older should get a flu shot each year,” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer.

In 2017, a study in Pediatrics was the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination also significantly reduced a child’s risk of dying from influenza.

For this season the CDC is recommending individuals not use the nasal spray flu vaccine. Only injectable flu shots are recommended for use again this season. Flu vaccines have been updated this year to better match circulating viruses, including influenza A(H1N1).

During the 2017-2018 season, for the first time, a true cell-based CVV has been approved for use in flu vaccine production for the Northern Hemisphere. Traditionally, CVVs have been produced using fertilized chicken eggs. The cell-based CVV has been used to produce the influenza A (H3N2) component of cell-based flu vaccines. Recombinant flu vaccines also are based on genetic sequences of recommended vaccine viruses that have not been propagated in eggs. Cell-based flu vaccines that use cell-based CVVs or genetic sequences have the potential to offer better protection than traditional, egg-based flu vaccines as a result of being more similar to flu viruses in circulation, according to the CDC

In addition to getting vaccinated, Public Health Officials recommend everyone help prevent the spread of the seasonal flu by:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth;

• Covering your coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or tissue;

• Washing your hands often. Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are not able to wash your hands;

• Staying home if you are sick.