BEND, OR -- Fall doesn’t officially start until Thursday, however flu season is already underway in Central Oregon. Heather Kaisner, with Deschutes County Public Health tells KBND News, "Flu is not reportable to us, however we did hear from a couple of labs that they’ve had just a handful of positive cases. That can be pretty common, to get a handful of cases September, October. It’s a really small amount. Our flu season tends to peak around January."
While we're still months away from the worst of it, Kaisner says, "It’s an important reminder to everybody that we are entering flu season and some of the best defenses are the flu vaccine and the good old washing your hands and covering your cough – which is so important, especially with kids going back to school, now." And, of course, stay home if you’re sick.
"The flu shot lasts through the season; they’ve done lots of studies on that," says Kaisner. "The other important thing to know is that it can take up to two weeks, once you get the vaccine, for your body to build an immune response. Don’t go get your vaccine and the next day, hop on an airplane and think that’s going to protect you."
To hear our full conversation with Heather Kaisner, click HERE or visit our Podcast Page.
