FLINT -- Doctors I spoke with say it is imperative for everyone to get a flu shot. However, misinformation is keeping some away from getting proper protection.
"I've heard a lot of people say you get sick from it,” said Andrew Elrod.
There are two types of flu shots, an injection and nasal spray. Doctors say neither run a risk of infection. Although nasal spray does contain a safe live virus.
"There is no live organism in it so you are not getting any sort of live virus. You can't get sick from that because there is nothing living to cause infection,” said Dr. Mukkamala.
There are three main strains this years vaccine is protecting against.
"There may be more than three circulating that may cause the flu,” said Genesee County Health Department Heath Officer Mark Valacak.
And to raise awareness and protect the community the Genesee County Health Department is working with other agencies to host classes about the flu and administer flu shots.
"It is important for people to know that this is not only something that can make you ill but a disease that can cause death,” said Valacak.
"The numbers of deaths you hear in some years is just a few thousand and up to as high as 49 thousand people,” said Mukkamala
With better information the hope is to get more people vaccinated.
Wednesday:
Topic: The Voice of Health Care
Emergency Preparedness
Place: IINN
4800 S. Saginaw Street
Date: December 5, 2012
Time: 9:00am-10:30am
Thursday:
Topic: Vulnerable Populations Adult Immunizations
Place: Hasselbring Senior Center
1002 W. Home Ave.
Date: December 6, 2012
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Friday:
Topic: Tally Day ~ What Do the Numbers Say?
Place: Hamilton community Health Network
4001 N. Saginaw Street
Date: December 7, 2012
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
