The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is recommending that Texans get vaccinated against influenza early as the new flu season begins this month, according to an Oct. 1 agency news release. The department designated Oct. 1 as Texas Influenza Awareness Day.
The agency said everyone ages 6 months and older should receive a flu shot. “We recommend everyone ages six months and older get a flu shot as soon as possible because we usually see cases start to rise at this time of year,” said Manda Hall, MD, DSHS chief medical executive.
Hall said certain groups face a higher risk of serious illness. “Small children and older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions often suffer the most severe effects from flu illness. The best time to protect yourself and your family from flu is now because the body takes about two weeks to make flu antibodies after getting a flu shot,” she said.
The department also offered guidance for Texans who become sick. According to the release, people with flu symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others. Those at higher risk who develop symptoms should contact a health care provider right away, the agency said, because antiviral treatments are available if started within 48 hours of symptom onset. DSHS noted that mild cases generally do not require a visit to the emergency room.
DSHS pointed Texans to several resources for staying informed and finding a vaccine, including the Texas Respiratory Illness Interactive Dashboard, the Vaccines.gov flu shot locator, and local health departments and pharmacies.
By encouraging vaccination at the start of the season, the department said, Texans can allow the roughly two weeks the body needs to build antibodies before flu cases typically begin to climb.