Flu shots offered at Quincy event

QUINCY - You can have fun and take care of an immunization need at the same time at Farmer Consumer Awareness Day this Saturday, Sept. 13, at Quincy.

The growing farm-city fair is chock full of activities. Lots of people are expected. So a new activity - flu shots - has been added.

Quincy Valley Medical Center wants to help you protect yourself and your family by getting the 2014-2015 flu vaccine while you're at the FCAD.

"It's fast, it's easy and it's an important step in protecting your health," the QVMC's Michele Wurl said.

According to Wurl, flu vaccination should begin soon after the vaccine becomes available, ideally by October. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even in January or later.

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons, Wurl said. First, the body's immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection.

Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated annually.

The flu vaccine does not work immediately, Wurl said. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.

"That's why it's better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way," Wurl said.