As the holiday season approaches, state officials are
encouraging Kentuckians to get vaccinated against the flu. There have been 384
laboratory-confirmed flu cases in regions across Kentucky since August 4th.
Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache,
cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. It takes about two
weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective, so it is very important to get
the flu shot as soon as possible.
The flu vaccine has been changed to better protect against
the types of flu that were seen last season. Both the CDC and manufacturers of
the flu vaccine report that there are no shortages of vaccine. Vaccination can
be given any time during the flu season, but providers are encouraged to
administer the vaccine as soon as possible. Medicaid, Medicare and most private
health insurance providers cover flu vaccination as a preventive service. Last
year in Kentucky, there were 194 flu-related deaths, two of which were
children.