Flu Shot or Not?
KATU came up to OHSU this week to do an interesting story on flu “hot spots” in the Portland region. KATU defined our hot spots as the areas of town with higher kid populations as the flu tends to spread amongst children more significantly that it does with adults.
Interesting topic. However, flu experts would push back a bit on one point made in the story.
The reporter says this info can help people decide “whether” to get a flu shot. Flu experts will tell you it’s actually a good idea to get a flu shot no matter what. More info from the CDC:
During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.
