Flu season approaches, healthcare professionals recommend getting vaccinated

SALISBURY, Md. –  “Influenza is a pretty serious disease.” Dr. Geoff Sirokman knows how dangerous the flu can be and as the season quickly approaches, health care professionals want to make sure everybody is protected this year.

They tell 47 ABC that the flu can be deadly and that’s why they say getting a flu shot is vital to your health and others around you.

Sirockman also said, “It can make people sick enough to where they end up in an ICU situation.”

Even with warnings from healthcare professionals, some believe the vaccine doesn’t do its job after reports that last year’s vaccination wasn’t as effective as it should have been.  That’s why they refuse to get the flu shot.

Salisbury resident Jacqueline Keyes said, “It sometimes misses its mark. For me and my body I prefer to not put something in it that is going to be ineffective.”

Dr. Sirockman recommends that even though the vaccine can’t fully protect you, its always better to stay safe than sorry.
He also said it doesn’t make sense to compare this year’s flu season to last year because every year there are new strains.

Sirockman said, “Unfortunately they can’t cover all the strains of the flu every year so what happened last year is that we saw a few strands that weren’t covered by the vaccine. The vaccine is effective against the strains that are selected for.”

If you do plan to get a flu shot this year, Dr. Sirockman says the best time to do it is in October because it will give you a better shot at being protected throughout the fall and winter.

He also tells 47 ABC while you’re at it, get the kids vaccinated too “Absolutely do get your kids vaccinated because you’re not just protecting your own children you’re protecting their friends as well.”