Get flu shots sooner rather than later

In the 2009 influenza epidemic of swine flu, more than 90 percent of those that died of the virus were under 65 years old, according to Southeastern Idaho Public Health.

That’s why registered nurse and future epidemiologist at the SIPH Ian Troester-Solbrig said it’s not just kids that should get vaccinated, because there’s no way to tell if a year will be a bad year for flu cases.

“It’s not just old or sick people,” said Troester-Solbrig. “Most of the people who get sick in bad years are healthy, young adults.”

Troester-Solbrig said the flu vaccine can take up to two weeks to reach full effectiveness.

“Last year our peak instance of flu was in October,” he said. “The earlier the better.”

Flu vaccines will be available at SIPH near the end of September and are currently available at many local pharmacies.