Following the recommendations of the New York State Department of Health, the influenza vaccine, or flu shot, is still available at the health department's immunization clinics around Oswego County. The health department still has plenty of influenza vaccine left, and I encourage anyone who still needs a flu shot to get a shot at one of our clinics. The vaccine becomes effective against the flu about two weeks after a person receives it. Protection may last up to a year. Oftentimes, people who have an upset stomach and diarrhea think they have influenza, but it isn't the same virus.
People can get influenza at any age.
Most people are sick only for a few days, but some get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized. The influenza virus causes thousands of deaths each year, mostly among the elderly. The viruses that cause influenza change often, so the influenza vaccine is updated each year. A new shot is needed each year. The vaccine isn't effective against other causes of fever and colds.