Volusia County Department Of Health Says It's Not Too Late To Get Flu Shots

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Volusia County, FL - Volusia County Department of Health (DOH) is reminding residents that it is not too late to get flu shots this season, and DOH is urging anyone who has not done so to get flu shots as quickly as possible. The DOH says that even children six-months-old and older should get the flu vaccine. Last week, 52% of reported flu outbreaks were either in a daycare or a school, and last week's emergency department data shows that almost 20% of emergency room visits statewide are due to influenza-like illness in children less than four years old. According to DOH, all five pediatric flu deaths reported in Florida to date this year were of unvaccinated children. A study from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) showed vaccination prevents deaths by 51% among children with underlying high-risk medical conditions and nearly two-thirds among healthy children. You can find more on that study here. DOH officials say that even if you have gotten the flu shot already and still got the flu this season, a flu vaccine may still prevent against serious life-threatening effects and length of the flu. A study by the CDC shows that flu vaccination reduced intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients. You can find a link to that study here. Visit FluFreeFlorida.com for more information about the flu. Photo courtesy Sherry Yates Young and shutterstock.com. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.