JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –
On average 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized annually from seasonal flu-related complications.
According to Gayle Shields, vice president of Winn Dixie pharmacy the timing of the flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Most seasonal flu activity typically occurs October through May and commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
It takes two weeks to be fully protected from the flu, so you should get your flu vaccine in late summer or early fall,before an outbreak begins. The flu vaccine cannot cause the flu; it is an inactive virus.
A flu shot is the most effective form of flu prevention and lasts an entire flu season, reducing the risk of influenza by nearly 70 percent.
Now is a great time to get vaccinated to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. The results will hopefully encourage more people to get their flu shots to protect themselves from the flu.
Shieds states the flu shot is really the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu. Shields suggests the following tips for flu prevention:
- Flu prevention is about more than just a shot.
- Winn-Dixie provides the community with food, nutritional products and tips to battle flu season and live a healthy lifestyle.
- Wash your hands or carry hand sanitizer.
- Eat healthy (such as vegetables and vitamin C-enriched fruits to improve immunity)
- Drink more water to keep hydrated, exercise and get plenty of sleep.
Customers can visit any Winn-Dixie pharmacy to get a flu vaccine that’s right for them. Most insurance plans offer flu shots with no co-pay. Now through Feb.28, 2018 you can get a coupon for 10 percent off your grocery purchase if you receive a flu vaccine at your local Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacy.