Montana Health Officials Encourage Flu Shot

The state Department of Public Health and Human Services is encouraging Montanans to get their flu shot this holiday season as a priceless gift of health for themselves and their families.

"There's no shortage of the flu vaccine this year, and vaccination now is the best way for Montanans to protect themselves and their loved ones against the virus," according to DPHHS Immunization Program Nurse Consultant Marci Eckerson.

Officials say it is not too late to get a flu shot. Montana's flu season has just begun.

"We normally see cases peak in January, February and March," Eckerson said. "With people visiting, congregating, and enjoying holiday festivities in close contact with one another, it's extremely important to be protected against influenza, in order to have a happy, healthy New Year."

Two cases of influenza type A have been confirmed in Montana this season, both this week in the Billings area. Influenza type A causes moderate to severe illness and affects all age groups.

Influenza is not just a nuisance disease, Eckerson said. It is responsible for over 36,000 deaths and greater than 200,000 influenza related hospitalizations in the United States each year. More than 57 percent of those hospitalizations occur in people less than 65 years old.

Adults can be contagious from the day before they start feeling sick to about five days after symptoms begin. Children can be contagious for 10 or more days. Some people with influenza may not even have symptoms, yet still be contagious.

Community health departments still have plenty of influenza vaccination available, according to Eckerson.

It takes 10 to 14 days for people to develop antibodies to influenza once they have received the vaccine. During this time, they are still susceptible to the disease.

"Don't let flu ruin your holidays!" Eckerson urged. "Remember, it is definitely not too late to be immunized against influenza. As Montana's First Lady Nancy Schweitzer said while getting her flu shot recently, the shot is the single best way for Montanans to protect themselves against the virus."

Contact your doctor or local health clinic for the best place to go for your flu shot. For more information, log on to www.health.mt.gov and click on influenza resources.

By Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services