Health officials want you to get your flu shot now
By: Nikki Henderson
Updated: January 3, 2013
It's the peak of flu season and if you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, you need to get one as soon as possible.
Health officials warn that the flu season is still very active and those who haven't been vaccinated are at risk.
Ken Pastorick with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals says there are flu cases in every corner of the state. Pastorick says there has been an 8 percent increase flu cases across Louisiana in the past several weeks.
Pastorick also says in addition to the flu shot you can protect yourself by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer.
The CDC recommends singing the Happy Birthday song twice while washing your hands. This is the amount of time it takes to wash away harmful viruses like influenza.
Meanwhile, LSU health experts say there are plenty of vaccines still available in our area.
You can get a flu shot at your doctor's office, local health clinics and pharmacies. Once you have been vaccinated it takes about two weeks for it to take effect.
Health experts at LSU also say many people are afraid to get the flu shot because they think it will make them sick but those who get ill after the vaccination were likely already infected with the virus.
Flu season usually peaks around January and February and can last from October to April.
