Don't wait to get your flu shot, say health officials

It’s that time of year again — the start of flu season.

Health officials say don’t wait: Get a flu shot. Already, they’re getting reports of small clusters of people with the flu.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer at Public Health Seattle and King County, said the flu season doesn’t peak until January or February.

Still, he said it’s a good idea to get vaccinated as soon as possible. “The earlier you get vaccinated,” he said, “the earlier your protection will start.”

Duchin said it’s important to get an early start because flu activity will likely ramp up in November.

Unlike previous years there’s plenty of vaccines for everyone. In fact, there are two new kinds that give higher levels of protection to adults over 65 years old.

One type of vaccine that’s not recommended is the kind that’s delivered by nasal spray. “The past couple of seasons, it wasn’t effective, and it’s still being studied as to why that’s the case,” Duchin explained.

Duchin recommends that pregnant women get their flu shots so they can pass on the antibodies to their babies.