Flu season officially began Oct. 1st and runs through March 30th. Some years it begins earlier – some later.

The really important thing is to protect yourself against it by getting a flu shot. “If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible,” Jenny Day, CBHA nurse manager, said. “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in the body.

Day said it is particularly important for children and adults in vulnerable population groups to be vaccinated. Vulnerable people include children under five, pregnant women and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

She stressed that there is still time to get vaccinated. There also is plenty of vaccine. The nasal flu vaccine will not be available again this year.

The more people get vaccinated, the more everyone will be protected from the flu. Jenny Day can be reached by calling CBHA at 509-488-5256 for more information.