Be prepared, flu season on its way

Thursday, September 14, 2017
Getting ready for flu season
Getting ready for flu season. Ali Gorman reports during Action News at 5 p.m. on September 14, 2017.

It may feel like summer, but make no mistake - flu season is almost here.

Pediatricians say kids should get their flu shot soon, so they have enough time to build immunity.

It typically takes about two weeks to build up immunity after getting a flu shot.

Some kids, if it's their first time getting a flu shot, may need two doses.

So they'll need extra time.

But for everyone, it's best to get vaccinated before the end of October.

We typically start to see the flu pick up in December, but some years it has come in November.

Experts say it's too early to predict this season, but we do know Australia reported a bad flu season that started earlier than usual.

There were two-and-a-half times more cases of the flu there, mostly hitting the elderly and school-aged kids.

So far, the vaccine seems to be a good match for the predominant strain, but that strain can be severe.

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