Seasonal flu peaks between December, February

While seasonal influenza viruses can be detected year-round most of the time flu activity usually peaks between the months of December and February.

Experts are urging Americans to get vaccinated in shot form to avoid getting the flu, which can be severe for young people and the elderly.

For the 2016-2017 season, manufacturers projected they would provide between 157 million and 168 million doses of injectable vaccine for the U.S. market.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, and is widely available at pharmacies and doctors’ offices. Unfortunately, the nasal flu vaccine will not be available throughout the U.S., which is popular among kids and was used by 20 million people last season. Vaccine efficacy tests revealed earlier this year that the nasal flu vaccine is currently not effective, for reasons that aren’t yet clear.

Eastern Idaho Public Health Immunization coordinator Angie Peterson said weather doesn’t attribute to people getting the flu.

“People not taking care of proper hand hygiene. I recommend people wash their hands often and if they do get sick stay home don’t go to work and spread germs,” Peterson said.

She also said she’s been busy this year giving out the flu vaccine: “We started seeing flu cases earlier this year than we’ve had in previous years. As far as influenza cases they’ve been sporadic. But the highest numbers usually occur during February.”

A few ways to avoid the flu:

Stay home when you are sick. Cover your mouth and nose. Clean your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Practice other good health habits.

The Eastern Idaho Public Health currently is giving away free influenza shots to underinsured people.