The shift from summer to fall is a good time to start thinking about how to protect yourself against illnesses that tend to thrive during cooler months.
Vaccinations are particularly important this year as a variety of threats — new, old and returning — have emerged.
Vaccines have been developed to protect against those illnesses. Even if someone who is vaccinated becomes ill, symptoms are typically less severe and much less likely to be fatal.
Influenza is an annual threat, and vaccines to protect against the flu are regularly offered at health clinics, physician offices and pharmacies starting in the fall.
Vaccine for COVID-19 remains available; new booster shots to protect against the latest variants are expected to be available soon.
Polio, one of the most feared diseases in U.S. history, re-emerged in the country this summer with a case in an unvaccinated person in New York. The disabling and life-threatening disease was eliminated in the U.S. in 1979 thanks to dedicated health care professionals, and parents who vaccinate their children on schedule but there are still cases worldwide. Most adults were vaccinated as children; vaccines are available for those who need it.
Monkeypox is a rare disease in the same family as smallpox, but milder and rarely fatal. Vaccines are available but limited.
HERE is a guide to vaccinations in Allen County:
Flu
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every season, especially people at higher risk, such as those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or older than 65. The best way to reduce the risk of serious complications is to get vaccinated.
Last year, 174.6 million doses of flu vaccine were distributed in the U.S.
The CDC reports 34.7% of adults 18-49 got the shot last year, as did 50% of those aged 50-64 and 67.7% aged 65 and older. Coverage was lower than the pre-COVID flu season (2019-20) but similar to the 2020-21 season.
The flu vaccination rate for children last year was 55.3%, a drop of 2 percentage points from the previous year. Coverage dropped 6.9 percentage points since the pre-pandemic season.
The health department in Iola has begun scheduling flu clinics for businesses.
A drive-through clinic for anyone who is interested will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, at the clinic at 411 N. Washington Ave.
The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine by the end of October, as the season typically runs from October to March. It takes about two weeks to be effective.
The flu vaccine is reviewed and adjusted each year because the viruses are constantly changing.
