By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
The weather is changing and now is the time that people are getting sick.
But the good news, it's not too late to get your flu shot.
That's the word from Trinity medical nurses. Many people have a reason for not getting the flu shot each year.
Medical professionals say that people who believe those myths help contribute to spread of the flu every winter.
"The percentage for the Quad Cities flu shot numbers are not very high," says Penny Knox, Clinics Coordinator for Trinity Visiting Nurses and Home Care Association. "When you think of the entire Quad Cities, we could do much better in terms of immunizing our area."
The biggest misconception: getting the flu shot gives you the flu.
"Flu shot will not give you the flu," Knox adds. "It's an inactivated virus. People that get sick after getting their flu shot probably have already been exposed to something just because of the season and the contagion that's out there. It's just a coincidence."
Remember: it takes two weeks after your flu shot for you to be fully protected.
Nationwide, more than 200 thousand will be hospitalized from the flu each year. About 36,000 Americans die every year from the flu as well. Those are numbers medical professionals say is way too high and easily preventable.
Trinity professionals say anyone over 6 months old should be getting the shot, even pregnant women.
You can get your flu shot with Trinity by calling and making an appointment by calling 309-779-7600.
