For Immediate Release: December 15, 2014
Contact: Nicole Stanfield nstanfield@ochca.com, 714-834-2178
Get a Flu Vaccination for a Healthy Holiday Season
(Santa Ana) – Influenza activity has begun to increase in Orange County. The Orange County Health Care Agency reminds people that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. Peak flu season has not yet arrived and it is not too late to vaccinate.
Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, and is especially important for infants, young children, pregnant women, adults over 50, and for those with chronic medical conditions. Flu vaccines protect against three viruses which commonly cause disease each year: influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B viruses. While there have been reports nationally of influenza H3N2 strains causing illness that are drifted from the vaccine strain, this is just one of multiple influenza viruses seen so far this season. In situations when there is an imperfect match to one virus, vaccination provides protection against other strains which may be circulating. Continue reading