Flu activity is on the rise in Chicago and school aged children are at high risk of getting sick. This usually means missing at least a week of school for an infected child. Last year, 6.2 million children across the country caught the flu! Now is the time to make sure that everyone in your family 6 months of age and older has been vaccinated against influenza (the virus that causes the flu) – this means grandparents, caregivers, cousins and neighbors too! Vaccination is the best way to protect against getting the flu but it takes 2 weeks for your body to create protection, so the time is now.
To locate the closest City of Chicago clinic or retail pharmacy, go to www.chicagoflushots.org.
Other ways to lower your risk of getting the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
For more information about seasonal influenza:
- Talk to your school nurse
- Visit the CDC “Flu & You” website https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/index.html
- Visit the Chicago Department of Public Health Influenza website https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/flu.html
- Follow the #FIGHTFLU hashtag on social media