In the last three weeks, influenza reports in Virginia have gone from scattered to regional and now to widespread. Though late, the 2012 flu season has arrived.
The Virginia Department of Health monitors hospital and emergency care facilities, lab reports and local departments for reports of flu-like illness. If three or more of Virginia's five health districts report high levels of flu-like illness, the flu is said to be widespread. Flu-like illness is high in Hampton Roads and the rest of Eastern region.
VDH spokesman Larry Hill tells me that people who got the flu shot as far back as October should still be protected. Anyone who has not had a flu shot can still benefit from getting one now. However, it takes about two weeks after the shot for the flu vaccine to become effective. The flu vaccine is 80% to 85% effective at preventing a flu infection.
For information about getting a flu shot, contact your doctor, local pharmacy, or local health department.
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