Flu season is nearing and although state health officials don’t know exactly when the flu will strike, how serious it will be or how long the season will last, they do know that it spreads every year and now is the time to get vaccinated against this serious, sometimes deadly virus.

“The first and most important thing you can do to protect yourself from flu is to get vaccinated every year,” said State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy. “Flu vaccine is available now in most provider offices and pharmacies across the state and getting it now will provide protection throughout the season. It’s not too early.”

Along with getting the flu vaccine, frequent hand washing is important because the virus spreads easily when someone who’s infected coughs, sneezes, or talks. People with the flu can spread it to others before they know they’re sick. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and fatigue.

Getting the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. It’s especially important for high-risk groups: young children, older people, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, lung diseases, heart diseases and neurologic conditions.

There are more vaccine options available this season than ever before, including the standard flu shot for people six months and older, intradermal for adults aged 18-64, the high-dose flu shot for adults 65 and older, nasal spray for healthy people (except pregnant women) between the ages of 2 and 49, a cell-based flu vaccine, and an egg-free option for people 18 through 49 years of age. All flu vaccines protect against three strains of flu virus and some protect against a fourth strain.

All flu vaccine offers protection and there’s no preference for one vaccine over another, except for one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend the use of the nasal spray vaccine for healthy children aged 2-8 who do not have an underlying health condition. All nasal spray vaccine protects against four strains of flu.

Children under 9 years old may need two doses about a month apart for the best protection.

Washington provides all recommended vaccines at no cost for kids through age 18.

For help, visit the online flu vaccine finder, visit the ParentHelp123 resource finder or call the Family Health Hotline.