Flu cases have been increasing in Texas since . Health officials encourage people to get vaccinated against the flu, along with other respiratory viruses like RSV and COVID-19, to prevent the spread during the holidays.
鈥淟et鈥檚 spread joy, love, happiness,鈥� said Willie Underwood, the board chair of the . 鈥淟et鈥檚 have opportunities with our friends and families. Let鈥檚 travel, and not be on a plane or a train and giving multiple people the flu at the same time. Best way to do that is to get vaccinated.鈥�
Like the COVID-19 vaccine, it takes about to develop immunity to the virus.
The flu is especially harmful to infants, people 65 years and older, and people who are pregnant. Since October, more than 1,300 Texans have died from the flu and pneumonia, according to data from the . That includes 1,000 people 65 and older.
鈥淭he flu can kill you, and it can lead to you being hospitalized,鈥� Underwood said. 鈥淚t can lead to you missing out on family events, missing work, missing opportunities. So, the goal is to prevent that.鈥�
The number of flu vaccinations given this year is lower nationally now than in both 2021 and 2022.
Chris Parker, associate director for field services with the , said flu season peaks between December and February. The CDC recommends everyone be vaccinated by late October, but it鈥檚 not too late to get the vaccine now.
鈥淎s we approach the peak season, it鈥檚 important that everyone who hasn鈥檛 done so, get their flu shot to protect themselves, their family members and also our communities,鈥� Parker said.
Texans can find more information about flu shots near them by visiting .
Got a tip? Email Elena Rivera at erivera@kera.org
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