WICOMICO COUNTY, Md.- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people to get their flu vaccines in time for the flu season, which is about to kick into full swing.
Flu season runs during the winter and fall months, and can even make its way into May.
Michael Foster, an employee at the Mac Senior Center in Salisbury, gets his flu shot, not only to protect from getting sick, but to protect from other problems.
"I have congestive heart failure and that's one of the things that my doctor suggests that I do every year to make sure that I get my flu shot," said Foster.
He has even suffered from getting the flu.
"I've had the flu before and it can be devastating."
Carol Zimmerman, a project director at the Mac Senior Center, said that it's important to pay attention the certain things pertaining to the flu as you age.
"As we get older our immune system weakens, and when it weakens we're more susceptible to infections," said Zimmerman.
Members of the Mac Senior Center say that they offer a few options for people to get their flu shots.
"There's lots and lots of opportunities for seniors to get those flu shots, and often medicare or even their supplements will pay for it," said Zimmerman.
The impact the flu season can have on people is sometime shard to predict, and can vary depending on the year and how many people get treated.
I haven't really heard what they're saying about the flu season," said Olivia Butler, nurse program manager at the Wicomico County Health Department. "Sometimes it's really hard to predict how it's going to be, you know, and a lot of that will depend too on how many people get treated."
For those that haven't gotten their shot yet it's not too late. The health department will be hosting a flu clinic next Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. so anyone over the age of six months is encouraged to stop in and get one if they haven't already.
(Photo: MGN Online)
