It s not too late for residents to get their annual flu shot, stated Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health for Westchester County. In particular, all senior citizens, and others who may be at high risk of becoming seriously ill if they get the flu, should protect themselves against this season's influenza by receiving a flu shot. The strain of influenza circulating and causing illness changes each year and therefore annual vaccination to protect against the current circulating strain is recommended. The influenza season generally occurs between October and April of each year. The flu vaccine takes 1-2 weeks to take effect and will offer protection throughout the entire season.
Influenza can have much more serious consequences than other viruses prevalent in fall and winter.
Pneumococcal disease is spread by airborne or direct exposure to respiratory droplets of an infected person. The pneumococcus bacteria commonly causes serious pneumonia in older adults and can also lead to meningitis and a blood stream infection. Antibiotic resistant strains have developed. The vaccine usually needs to be administered only once in a person's lifetime, and it protects against almost all strains of pneumococcal bacteria that cause serious disease. Potential side effects of the vaccine, which can include a low-grade fever and local soreness, are minor and subside quickly.