FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JANUARY 5, 2017 • THE QUEENS COURIER 29 health Doctor answers fi ve big questions about the fl u New York State has offi cially declared that the fl u is “prevalent” in the state. Th is declaration serves as a reminder that it’s not too late to get vaccinated at an NYC Health + Hospitals facility, where fl u vaccine is still readily available. Each fl u season, NYC Health + Hospitals reminds New Yorkers about the importance of getting the fl u vaccine. Th e fl u is serious, highly contagious and sometimes fatal. Th e best defense against the fl u is yearly vaccination. Machelle Allen, MD, interim chief medical offi cer at NYC Health + Hospitals answers fi ve common questions about the fl u, and encourages everyone 6 months and older to be a “fl u fi ghter” and get vaccinated. 1. Who should and shouldn’t get the fl u vaccine? Dr. Allen: Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a fl u vaccine, every year, with the exception of those with rare, but severe, life-threatening allergies to fl u vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine, which might include gelatin and antibiotics. Th ose who have egg allergies can get the fl u vaccine, but fi rst need to speak with their doctor. Th is season, the nasal spray fl u vaccine is not available; only the injectable fl u vaccines are recommended for 2016-2017. 2. When is the best time to get the fl u shot? Dr. Allen: It’s best to get vaccinated early in the season, as it takes two weeks aft er vaccination for anti-bodies to develop in the body, which is what will protect you throughout the fl u season. Each year the fl u season is unpredictable, but the need for annual vaccination remains the same. Now that the fl u is prevalent in New York state, if you haven’t been vaccinated, now is the time to do so! 3. Where can I get vaccinated? Dr. Allen: Th e hospitals and community health centers that are part of NYC Health + Hospitals off er fl u vaccination at no charge for all patients, visitors and staff . Flu vaccination is also off ered by doctor’s offi ces, clinics, pharmacies, college health centers and many employers. Find an NYC Health + Hospitals location in your neighborhood by visiting http://www.nychealthandhospitals. org/health_care. 4. Will I get the fl u from the fl u shot? Dr. Allen: Contrary to the common myth, no, the fl u shot will not give you the fl u. Th e fl u shot contains inactivated (killed) fl u viruses that cannot cause illness. Most people have no reaction to the vaccine, but some people may experience mild soreness, redness or swelling at the vaccination site, mild fever, or body aches. It’s riskier to go without the protection of the fl u vaccine than it is to get vaccinated. 5. What symptoms are associated with the fl u? Dr. Allen: Most commonly, people with the fl u will experience fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, sore throat and headache. Th e fl u usually comes on suddenly, symptoms can be mild or severe, and in some cases, the fl u can be fatal. Sometimes, people who are vaccinated still get the fl u during fl u season, but their symptoms are milder and the duration is shorter. So protect yourself the best way possible — get your fl u shot today!
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