The Visiting Nurse Association will begin its Flu Immunization Clinics starting next Monday, September 12th.
Cindy Ruma, Immunization Coordinator for the VNA, says new this year, the CDC is recommending the FluMist NOT be used as a vaccine.
Ruma says FluMist was only 3% effective last year so it was taken off the market for use this year.
She says FluMist, which first came out in 2008, was initially recommended as being more effective than the flu shot. So this year, the shot is the only option.
Ruma says even if you’re fearful of getting a flu shot, you should get one.
"The biggest thing for me this year is because there is no FluMist, I would like to have those people that are still a little needle-phobic, get your courage up. It’s just a tiny needle stick. And parents make sure your kids are prepared. Don’t bring them to a clinic or a doctor’s office thinking they’re going to get FluMist. Let them know ahead of time.”
Ruma says if you end up sick with the flu despite having had the flu vaccine, you will at least be sick a shorter number of days and the illness will be less severe.
There are several preventative steps you can take to protect yourself including keeping your hands clean, staying home when you don’t feel well and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
For more information on the VNA Flu Immunization Clinics, the website is theVNAcares.org/flu.