With holiday gatherings in full swing, take a few minutes to get vaccinated against respiratory illnesses. Doing so increases your protection as you gather with your friends, family, and community between now and the New Year. The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) reminds residents that it’s not to late to get vaccinated for the flu and other respiratory disease. For the past three decades, flu activity has peaked between the months of October and February and usually tapers off around April.

Viruses are ever changing and, overtime, the protection from vaccinations decreases. Flu can affect people differently, and the best way to prevent missed days at work, school, or family events is to get vaccinated.

Building Immunity
After you are vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for the body to build up immunity to protect itself from severe illness caused by the flu virus. Some ways to help protect yourself and others while your immunity is building up is to cover your coughs, maintain good hygiene, and avoid people who are sick.

“We always encourage everybody to get vaccinated before the start of the flu season,” says Dr. Joshua Meyerson, Medical Director at HDNW. “Getting the flu vaccine every year is the best protection against the virus.”

Protecting Those with Greater Risks
Even if you are a healthy person, getting the flu vaccine can help protect others around you who are at greater risk of hospitalization if they contact the virus. It is recommended that everyone six months and older be vaccinated against the flu. People who have increased risk for becoming severely ill with the flu are:

• Adults 65 years and older,
• Children younger than two years old,
• Pregnant people and people up to two weeks after the end of pregnancy, and
• People with asthma, chronic lung disease, and weakened immune systems due to disease.

HDNW has clinics located in Charlevoix, Bellaire, Mancelona, Gaylord, Petoskey/Harbor Springs. Clinic hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please call 800-432-4121 to schedule an appointment to receive your flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination. To learn more about our services, visit www.nwhealth.org. To stay updated on health related topics, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.