FLU NEWS & NOTES
- Vaccine. The 2012-13 seasonal flu vaccine is available. People need to get vaccinated each year because the vaccine is made to match the types of flu expected to circulate that year and because protection decreases over time.
- Who? Everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated now. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who did not get a dose of last year’s vaccine should get two doses this year.
- Flu Season. Officially, flu season runs from October through May. Though most flu illnesses in Texas usually occur in December, January and February, flu is unpredictable and can happen at any time. People should get vaccinated now so that they’re protected for this flu season.
Flu in Texas
DSHS’s latest flu surveillance report, for the week ending May 4, classifies the geographic distribution of flu activity in Texas as “sporadic,” indicating small numbers of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases or a single laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreak, but no increase in cases of influenza-like illness.Additionally, the intensity of influenza-like illness, measuring the proportion of doctor visits prompted by flu-like illness, is currently classified as “minimal.”
Latest Available DSHS Weekly Flu Surveillance Report (updated on Fridays)
Flu season is here. Here’s what you can do.
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STAY INFORMED
TexasFlu.org is the DSHS site for flu information in Texas. Bookmark it. Sign up to receive Twitter and e-mail notices when information is posted. Dial 2-1-1 for flu information and vaccination locations.
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GET vaccinated
Get a flu vaccination now. It’s the best way to protect yourself and others.
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STOP THE SPREAD
Wash your hands frequently. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Stay home if you’re sick. Have a plan to care for sick family members at home.
