Experts Advise Getting Vaccinated Regardless Of Flu Season Severity
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It's time to get your flu shots! The precautionary measure is important, but health experts seem to be in disagreement about how bad the 2105 flu season will be.
While Dr. David Gude, a physician with Texas Med-Clinic, says it's always a good idea to get a flu shot, he thinks it's too early to predict upcoming flu activity. "We haven't really seen any flu significance in the community so I'm not sure how they're making that prediction, other than the fear that people won't get vaccinated."
Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that while flu activity is currently low across the United States, outbreaks can begin in October and vaccination is critical.
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Last year, the CDC guessed wrong about the strain of flu that would be most impactful, and the vaccine produced was less effective than normal. Dr. Gude recalled that, "Last year with the flu shot, which wasn't very effective, [a lot of people said] ah, it's a waste of my time, effort, energy and money to go get that thing, so I'm not gonna bother."
Medical authorities say everyone age 6 months and older should get vaccinated. People age 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and those with chronic health conditions — including asthma, diabetes, and heart and lung disease — are more susceptible to flu.
The CDC will officially begin tracking the spread of the influenza virus later this month.
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