Updated flu guidelines from CDC: When should you get your flu shot?

The CDC said as many as 42.9 million cases of influenza have been reported from Oct. 1, 2018 to May 4, resulting in 20.1 million medical visits and 647,000 hospitalizations. AnnArbor.com

The Centers for Disease Control has released its vaccination guidelines headed into the 2019-2020 flu season.

The CDC said as many as 42.9 million cases of influenza have been reported from Oct. 1, 2018 to May 4, 2019 resulting in 20.1 million medical visits and 647,000 hospitalizations. As many as 61,200 deaths attributed to the flu were reported since last year.

Flu activity in the U.S. - which usually peaks from late fall through early spring - is currently listed as “low.” That will likely change in the coming months.

The current guidelines recommend the flu vaccinations should be offered by the end of October. It takes about two week for the body to develop protection against the flu.

Optimally, vaccination should occur before onset of influenza activity in the community,” the CDC noted. “However, because timing of the onset, peak, and decline of influenza activity varies, the ideal time to start vaccinating cannot be predicted each season.”

The 2019-2020 flu vaccine will fight three common strains of the virus and will be available in the injectable and nasal varieties.

More on the flu

The flu is caused by viruses that infect your nose, throat and lungs. It spread from person-to-person when someone with the flu coughs, sneezes or talks. It’s also possible to get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Symptoms include cough, sore throat, headache, feeling tired, runny or stuff nose, muscle or body aches, fever or feeling feverish or having chills.

It is recommended everyone six moths of age or older receive a flu vaccine. It’s especially important for children under age 5; pregnant women and women who have recently had a baby; adults age 65 and older; people with long-term health conditions; people with weakened health conditions or immune systems; people who live or work in long-term health facilities; or people with extreme obesity.

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