Jefferson County health officials said they already are seeing flu cases, even though the flu season just officially started on Sunday.
Since the start of September, more than 20 cases have been reported in the county, said Dylan Steigerwald, the Health Department’s epidemiologist.
Steigerwald recommends people get their flu shots if they haven’t already.
“Getting the flu shot is the best protection we have available, not only to protect ourselves by getting the shot, but those around us, especially anyone who might be in an at-risk population group,” he said.
Steigerwald said that group includes younger children, pregnant women and the elderly.
He said the shot takes two weeks to kick in, so the earlier the better.
He said the peak of the flu season is normally somewhere between late December and early February.
“The last two years has kind of been bad compared to the last 10-year average,” Steigerwald said. “Flu year to year is really unpredictable.”
Steigerwald said it is hard to tell what type of season the county will have. “We are gearing up for anything,” he said.
During the 2018-2019 season, there were 2,466 positive cases and 10 flu-related deaths over the eight months. That compares to 3,982 cases and 16 deaths during the 2017-2018 season, the worst on record for Jefferson County.
Steigerwald said anyone over the age of 6 months can get the shot.
If someone has insurance, the shot will most likely be covered.
The Health Department takes part in a program called Vaccines for Children, which provides flu shots to those 18 years and younger and who are uninsured or underinsured, Steigerwald said.
The flu shot is available at all three Health Department locations: the Hills-boro office, 405 Main St.; the Arnold office, 1818 Lonedell Road; and the High Ridge office, 5684 Hwy. PP, next to the Northwest Branch of the Jefferson County Library. The offices are open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Jaclyn Brown, the Jefferson County Health Network coordinator, said the Health Department has been setting up flu clinics at Jefferson County school districts. She said students are only out of the classroom for a few minutes to get the vaccines. The first clinic is being held at the Hillsboro School District on Friday.
Steigerwald said flu symptoms include fever, aches, chills or sweating, and weakness. He advises people who get the flu to wash their hands frequently and stay away from others.
“Stay home from work and school, especially while you are still running a fever,” he said.