BLUEFIELD, W. Va. -We’re a few days into the month of September, and as temperatures begin to fall, the risk for flue rises.
Preparations for the upcoming flu season are well underway. The Mercer County Health Department says they’re trying to get ahead of the flu virus with their annual drive-thru flu vaccine clinic.
Sarah Mabe, an licensed practical nurse with MCHD and one of the nurses distributing vaccines, says they normally start seeing flu cases in September and October, adding that they recommend people get their flu vaccines by the end of September to help build immunity for the fall. She says these vaccines are very important in the fight against the flu, and could potentially save you from a trip to the hospital or other serious results from the flu.
“…They could end up in the hospital, they could stay there for quite some time, you run a high fever, and when you run a high fever, you… need lots of fluids and things of that nature, and so being vaccinated really keeps you from having to overload the hospital stay and it just… makes things easier for everyone,” says Mabe.
Mabe encourages everyone to get the flu vaccine. If you missed the vaccine clinic, she says the Mercer County Health Department is planning on holding another one next week. In the meantime, you can stop by Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm to get vaccinated for flu or COVID.
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